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Shelby man jailed after cocaine found in 4-year-old

SHELBY, N.C. — A Shelby man is being held without bond after police say cocaine was found in his home and his 4-year-old was found with cocaine in his body.

The Star of Shelby reports 49-year-old Melvin Douglas Toms was indicted by a grand jury Monday on a number of charges, including felonious child abuse, trafficking of cocaine and sell or delivery of a controlled substance to a minor.

Capt. Joel Shores of the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office said Toms was previously on probation and a parole officer asked for assistance from the sheriff's office to help in a search of his home. The sheriff's office found cocaine and a child.

Shores said investigators suspect the child was present while cocaine was being cooked and either inhaled or ingested it.

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