OILCREEK TWP., Pa. (EYT) – Dozens of charges were held for court yesterday in the case against two Oil City parents whose seven-year-old son was found with a marijuana pipe at an area elementary school.

Details of the Case

According to a criminal complaint, on February 14, around 1:45 p.m., Franklin-based State Police Trooper Johnson, was dispatched to the Pleasantville Elementary School located at 374 North Main Street, in Pleasantville Borough, Venango County.

The complaint states that Trooper Johnson spoke with an aide at the school who advised that a seven-year-old boy, of Oil City, handed her a metal marijuana pipe with suspected marijuana in it. Trooper Johnson examined the pipe and its contents, and it contained a green leafy substance that through his experience and training, Trooper Johnson indicated it had the look and smell of marijuana.

The seven-year-old boy was interviewed in the presence of the school principal. He stated that the metal pipe was his “daddy’s smoke pipe” and that his “dad smokes weed with it.” The boy also stated that “mom smokes weed with the pipe, too,” and that his “daddy puts it in his pocket,” according to the complaint.

Then, Trooper Johnson traveled to 8 Murray Street in Oil City and introduced himself to 35-year-old Robert James Hollobaugh and 35-year-old Christina Ann Sanders. They stated that they were the parents of the seven-year-old boy mentioned above, the complaint indicates.

Both individuals allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana and that “they would fail a drug test.” Christine Sanders also stated that “she wasn’t sure if there are any other drugs in her house and would not consent to a search,” the complaint continues.

Around 4:00 p.m., a nine-year-old girl arrived at the house. The girl told a CYS worker that she knows the police are at the house because Hollobaugh and Sanders are selling weed. The nine-year-old girl also lives at the residence, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, later that date, a search warrant was executed at 8 Murray Street, and the following items were found inside the residence:

– 12 individual baggies of suspected marijuana;
– a scale;
– numerous smoking pipes;
– a spoon with residue; and
– numerous containers used for storing marijuana.

The marijuana was located in places that were accessible to the two minor children living in the residence, the complaint continues.

The following charges were filed against Hollobaugh and Sanders in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish on February 23:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession with the Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony (12 counts)
– Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor (13 counts)
– Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor (30 counts)
– Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Misdemeanor 1 (two counts)
– Corruption of Minors, Misdemeanor 1 (two counts)
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)

Hollobaugh was also been charged with a summary offense for Identification Card (failure to notify the department of new address).

Charges Held for Court

On Wednesday afternoon in Venango County Central Court, two counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person against Sanders were dismissed. One count of Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense against Hollobaugh was dropped.

All other charges were held for court.

Bail modification requests by both defendants were denied. The pair remains lodged in the Venango County Jail in lieu of $50,000.00 cash bail.

The case has been transferred to the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

Sanders is being represented by Attorney John C. Lackatos of Franklin. Public Defender Jeri Louise Bolton is representing Hollobaugh.