Mooresville Couple Facing Child Abuse Charges After Deputies Say They Were High On Meth And Marijuana While Caring For An Infant

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Iredell County Deputies say a Mooresville couple was taken into custody on child abuse charges after an investigation determined they were high on meth and marijuana while caring for their infant child.

Deputies responded to the home on Pond View Road on December 8th in regards to a welfare check on the infant, according to a news release.  When the deputies arrived at the home, they say they found John-Michael Coppola and Kaylee Wilhelm inside the home with their newborn infant.

Deputies say Coppola and Wilhelm both appeared to be impaired by a substance.

The deputies immediately notified officials with the Iredell County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Service who took the newborn while the situation was further investigated, according to a news release.

Detectives say they determined that Coppola and Wilhelm were using meth and marijuana while caring for the child.  Detectives also say Coppola hallucinated and began firing a 12 gauge shotgun into the walls of the home because he thought someone was breaking into the home, according to a news release.

Based on the evidence obtained in the case, arrest warrants were issued for Coppola and Wilhelm for child abuse.  The couple was arrested on December 19th.  They were both given $7,500 secured bonds.