Pennsylvania woman busted for marijuana had 2 missing kids in back seat of car: Police

YORK, Pa. (WPMT) -- Opal Shay Smeltzer, 43, is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license is suspended or revoked, careless driving, and interference of custody of children, according to Fairview Township Police.

Police say two officers on foot patrol in the vicinity of a Motel 6 at about 10:15 a.m. Saturday noted that one of the motel's doors was open, and a woman, later identified as Smeltzer, was walking away from it. The officers noticed the strong smell of marijuana coming from the room, according to the criminal complaint affidavit.

Smeltzer quickly got into her car and accelerated rapidly through the parking lot, police say. One officer entered a police vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Smeltzer ignored police lights and sirens and continued driving, according to police.

The officer followed the vehicle until it stopped at Steigerwalt Hollow Road and Lewisberry road, where police initiated a traffic stop. They discovered the two children, who were listed as missing and endangered out of York, in Smeltzer's back seat.