ROCK HILL DRUG BUST: Accused drug dealer leaves young children in car while fleeing from police

YORK, S.C. — A Rock Hill man was accused of leaving his 3- and 4-year-old children in his car as he ran from police.

Lawrence Howard was selling crack when York drug agents went to arrest him on Amelia Avenue Thursday, authorities said.

Drug agents said they went undercover twice in September while Howard was selling drugs, and then went to arrest him Wednesday.

Police said they handcuffed Howard, who then ran away while his children were in the car.

Drug agents said Howard left his home and they followed.

They pulled over his gold Honda Accord on Matthews Drive. They smelled marijuana smoke coming from inside the car and found the children in the backseat not buckled in.

"When we got to the car, they were loose,” said Marvin Brown, commander of the York County Drug Unit. “They were running back and forth. They were not restrained in car seats.”

Drug agents said Howard fell down an embankment into a creek while running and was covered in mud and leaves.

"I know it's hard out here, but still,” said Mario Barnes, who has known Howard for years. “How do you put your kids in that situation? What were you thinking about?"

Howard faces nine total charges, including two counts of child neglect, drug distribution, possession and resisting arrest.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: