FERNDALE, Wash. — Ferndale Police Department officers arrested and booked Cody Curtis Craig, age 32 and of Blaine, Michael Wayne Doane, age 33 and of Ferndale, and Melissa Ann Welch, age 35 and of Ferndale, according to a press release issued today, Thursday, April 13th. All have been charged with 1st-degree murder with extreme indifference to human life in Whatcom County Superior Court.
According to affidavits of probable cause to arrest filed with the court, Ferndale Police officers had responded to investigate the death of a 5-year-old girl in the 2300 block of Douglas Road on March 8th.
Officers noted indications of the girl having suffered a possible drug overdose or poisoning. In addition to others, Doane, Welch and Craig were present when officers arrived. Welch and Doane are the girl’s biological parents and live in the residence while Craig is Welch’s boyfriend who sometimes stays at the residence.
A search warrant was served on the residence and vehicles associated with Welch and Doane. During the searches, drug paraphernalia was found along with items that later tested positive as fentanyl, methamphetamine and methadone. It was determined the girl had access to the areas where these items were located.
Click for more information
Click for more informationAccording to the press release, “All three were present the night of the victim’s death and evidence indicated that all three used Fentanyl at the residence.”
Days after the girl’s death, investigators “found that Melissa Welch and Cody Craig continued their reckless behavior by selling narcotics to others.”
Craig has prior felony convictions for drug possession crimes, criminal impersonation, bail jumping and possession of drugs with intent to distribute.
Doane has prior felony convictions for forgery, burglary and unlawful delivery of controlled substances (methamphetamine).
Welch has prior felony convictions for drug possession crimes, theft, burglary and bail jumping.
This story was updated at 11:30am to reflect 3, not 1 as originally reported, had been arrested.