Two people are charged with endangering the welfare of a child and drug offenses in Monroe County.

According to police in the early morning hours Thursday, the Monroe County Drug Task Force with the assistance of the state police executed a search warrant at a residence located on Interchange Road in Polk Township. Matthew Kozero, 29, of Gilbert, and Laura Santangelo, 32, of Gilbert, have been charged.

Detectives Kim Lippincott and Mario Orlando with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office spearheaded the investigation, which began in February 2021 when they received information that Kozero was selling meth and marijuana out of his residence on Interchange Road while his 4-year-old child was present.

Investigators conducted undercover purchases out of the home and then obtained a search warrant.

Because of Kozero’s prior record and information received during the investigation, the Drug Task Force called on the state police’s Special Emergency Response Team to conduct a drug raid. In addition to SERT, the Drug Task Force requested the assistance of Monroe County Children and Youth Services.

When police arrived, Kozero was in his bed with his 4-year-old child while Santangelo was locked in another room. In the room with Kozero and the child were multiple items of drug paraphernalia, three guns, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana, all within reach of the child. Santangelo had marijuana in her bedroom, as well as drug paraphernalia.

Kozero was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (felony), possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanor), possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), possession of firearms by a person prohibited to possess firearms (a misdemeanor), endangering the welfare of a child (a felony), and recklessly endangering another person (a misdemeanor).

Santangelo was charged with possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor), and endangering the welfare of a child (a felony).

Both were arraigned at the county prison via video conference by District Judge Colleen Mancuso. Kozero’s bail was set at $200,000 secured. Santangelo’s bail was set at $10,000 secured.