Salem, Oregon Mom Lodged on $9.3 Million in Bail, 17 Kids Taken Into Protective Custody

Officers began this investigation at about 11:15 am. The officer's finished the investigation just after 1:00 AM. In all, 12 adults were arrested on 78 criminal charges and 17 children were taken into protective custody.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Salem Police Department's Drug Activity Response Team (DART) responded to 2910 Saddle Club Rd SE on a drug house complaint involving children. Officers say they received permission to search the house and found drug paraphernalia.

Officers arrested 35-year old Tina Louise Walker for Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine,and Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold.

Salem Police Lt. Steve Bellshaw says Walker agreed to assist officers by calling her drug supplier and ordering more drugs. With Street Crimes detectives listening in, Walker ordered more meth from 51-year old Evyette Shull. Shull sent her 15 year old son to deliver the drugs to Walker's residence. When the son arrived at the residence, he was detained and interviewed by detectives. He told detectives he had delivered meth for his mother at least 4 other times.

Bellshaw says he also admitted to having used meth with his mother at least 5 times in the last month. DART and Street Crimes officers responded to Shull's residence and found not only Shull, but also 42-year old Wendy Samuelson, who had delivered the meth to Shull's residence earlier in the day. They had made the deal and re-packaged the meth for sale in front of the 15 year old son. Shull's two children, ages 15 and 17 were taken into protective custody.

Shull was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance- Meth, 9 counts of Using a Minor in a Controlled Substance, Delivery of a Controlled Substance - Meth, 9 Counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor, 2 Counts of Child Neglect in the First Degree, 2 counts of Endangering Welfare of a Minor, Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold, Criminal Mistreatment First Degree, and Manufacture of Methamphetamine.

Samuelson was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance - Meth, Using a Minor in a Controlled Substance Offense, Delivery of a Controlled Substance - Meth, Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor and Child Neglect First Degree.

Walker continued to assist detectives by providing the name of a second person that she had previously purchased drugs from. Detectives responded to 4769 Castle Dr. NE where they contacted 31-year old Eva Hofrichter. A search of that residence turned up meth and marijuana. Hofrichter's 6 children, ages 17, 10, 8, 5, 3 and 2 were taken into protective custody.

Hofrichter was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Meth, 6 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor and Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold.

Bellshaw says this suspect also agreed to assist detectives by ordering more drugs from her supplier. She called 29-year old Aubraey Ross at the Crosslands Motel. Street Crimes detectives observed the room while Ross made the call. Three people were seen leaving the room and were stopped a short distance away.

Arrested were 33-year old Candyy Dawn Reckard who faces a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, and 37-year old Phillip Anderson, who was booked for Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth and a Probation Violation warrant. 33-year old Teri Smith was also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth.

Street Crimes and DART detectives went to Aubraey Mae Ross's room and contacted Ross and 34-year old Tommy Geron Wilkey. Detectives found that Ross is currently about 6 months pregnant. Salem Police officers and Department of Human Services caseworkers had previously removed two of Ross's children due to drug usage. Ross has made arrangements with a family in South Carolina to adopt her unborn child. The family, through their attorney, were paying Ross's living expenses at the motel until the child was born. Detectives have been in contact with the attorney to inform him of this investigation.

Ross was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Meth, and for Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold.

Wilkey was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Meth, Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold and a Probation Violation.

Bellshaw says that while detectives were searching the motel room, "Wilkey's phone rang non-stop. Detectives started answering the phone and set up drug deals." Detectives made a deal with 47-year old Willis Weltz and 35-year old Jerry Weltz to exchange stereo speakers for drugs. When the Weltz's arrived at the motel, both Willis and Jerry were arrested for Attempted Unlawful Possession of Meth.

After being arrested, Willis Weltz told detectives he had left his four minor children and his 1 month old granddaughter at home alone while he came to buy drugs. Bellshaw says detectives responded to the residence and conducted a search. "Drug residue was located and the residence was filthy and unfit for the children to be in. The 5 children, ages 17, 15, 13, 11, and 1 month were placed in protective custody."

Willis Weltz was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance – Meth, 5 counts of Criminal Mistreatment of a Child, 5 Counts Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Maintaining a Residence Where Drugs are Used or Sold.

Willis's wife, 39-year old Laurie Weltz, was charged with 5 counts of Criminal Mistreatment of a Child.

According to Bellshaw, officers began this investigation at about 11:15 AM. They finished the investigation just after 1:00 AM. In all, 12 adults were arrested on 78 criminal charges and 17 children were taken into protective custody.

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little bitch boys child :-) July 24, 2020 1:07 pm (Pacific time)

when one of these men is your dad lolololol f this man😐

Anonymous September 11, 2010 10:32 pm (Pacific time)

All I have to say is any MOTHER that truly love her children would get a respectful job and work get ass off just like I do. You shouldn't get state benefits if you don't contribute to taxes, and last but not least shame on the pregnant women for taking advantage of a couple that so much wanted to give that baby the life it deserves and thanks to your stupid actions will be born addicted.burn in hell

KMWeltz March 29, 2007 2:53 pm (Pacific time)

I know its hard for a newspaper to OVER exaggerate. thats understandable. but there are people who could have given a more accurate report on what happened. My brothers and sisters werent even taken from the house at all. I was moved out when all this occured. Most of these people who are commenting on this issue should know the facts before they down somebody, the house was not unlivable and my mom is the last person who youd find knowing and supporting a druggy. You cant do drugs with the career my mom has! So for you negative people who dont know s*@t dont say anything! If you dont know my mom dont say anything. Those without sin cast the first stone, show me a perfect saint!

Lisa March 29, 2007 1:47 pm (Pacific time)

You F*c?ers dont know my mom and obviously dont know the whole story! Dont judge people if you dont know anything! The dumbasses who wrote and reported on that article over-exagerated, our house was not unlivable, Ive seen much worse. If you knew our family at all youd know this kinda sxxt was unexpected and yeah, obviosly me dad did have a problem but I wouldnt trade him for anything so all you people who dont know what the hell you are saying can go ____ yourself!!

Editor's note: The information from this story came from local police agencies. Many of the people in this story "rolled over" on other suspects causing their arrests. The above comment attests to the tragedy of the event, and it is one of two similar stories that were written the same day about large-scale drug busts. The person leaving this comment is obviously upset and we are sorry for what happened, but we only report what we learn, and we never set out to over exaggerate any story like this

JOSEPH March 27, 2007 1:15 pm (Pacific time)

"Know your facts before you judge all of the people involved! Willis Weltz is a deadbeat loser who's wife works her butt off (and is NOT on welfare) to support her 5 children and granddaughter. Willis has no job and steals from his own wife and kids! His wife is not to blame that he is a loser and cannot keep a clean house while his wife is working long hours to take care of her family." Oh come off it!! She is just as much to blame as her looser husband. A real woman and wife doesn't allow drugs/ and or a drug user and seller in her home or around her children!!! That woman can work her butt off, but whats the real reason behind it, to support her and her husbands habit!!! Thier house was FILTHY and claimed UNFIT!!! She is a scumbag just like the rest of druggie parents that do NOT have enough love or decency to get drugs away from thier children and provide a suitable home! So, claiming thats shes some saint...ha ha ha. What a joke!!

AMEN March 27, 2007 1:11 pm (Pacific time)

Love the story! Great to get these SCUMBAGS off the street! Wish the bail was even higher, but that TRASH will never come up with it! I feel SO bad for her children! Dont give me any BS of how a Mother has to do what she has to do- Go ____yourself if thats what you believe!!! Go to McDonalds, Pump Gas, Wash dishes or floors- YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SELL DRUGS TO MAKE A LIVING. Also, how about keeping those thunder thighs of yours closed before producing 17 children that you KNOW the government pays for becauswe YOU KNOW she was on Welfare....YUK!!! Good for the system. All those other trash belong in Jail!!!! I hope the Kids will get somewhere good, family who are DRUG FREE!!!!!! May God Bless them. To the other useless trash-ROT IN THERE.

M March 18, 2007 11:16 pm (Pacific time)

Know your facts before you judge all of the people involved! Willis Weltz is a deadbeat loser who's wife works her butt off (and is NOT on welfare) to support her 5 children and granddaughter. Willis has no job and steals from his own wife and kids! His wife is not to blame that he is a loser and cannot keep a clean house while his wife is working long hours to take care of her family.

Dear Raven March 18, 2007 11:12 am (Pacific time)

The problem is greater than good bad right wrong. The roots are deeper but simple minded people like simple minded solutions.

Raven March 17, 2007 11:32 pm (Pacific time)

Most of those that have commented have rambled on way too much in different directions. The morale of the story is that the police made a good bust on some bad drug dealers. We can only hope that the children involved in this situation are better off as a result of the bust.

Irony March 17, 2007 7:53 pm (Pacific time)

How can these people be bad if they are from the traditional American heterosexual family? All straight people are good and should be allowed to do whatever they want because they are straight. These people are normal. It's not possible for a straight couple to be a bad parent. The Bible says so. Only straight people know how to be parents and whatever they do is with Christ's blessings.

RJ March 17, 2007 6:37 pm (Pacific time)

Who cares if you blame the military or excessive federal money spending or the Oregon Health Plan or getting food stamps or any thing else!! Geez...What matters is that these people who were arrested were found to be possessing and/or selling drugs...ALL illegal under Oregon Law. Let their punishment fit their crime!! It's too bad their children are the ones suffering for their parents actions!!

Dear Patti March 17, 2007 4:11 pm (Pacific time)

I am not blameing the military directly. However, way too much federal money is going to the aero-space and defense industry and I wonder that if there were adequate supportive services for people with problems, how much of this could have been eliminated. Everyone is capable of anything under the right circumstances. If you think that you could never ever anything, you are using that as a defensive shield. If you were in a certain circumstance you might murder or steal.....I used to say I would never and then I learned never say never and never say always. When I was young, I never thought I would be able to handle things thrown at me in later life and conversely, things that I handled when I was young I am not able to handle now. Naturally you can accept or reject any opinions given here. There are famous situations where "civilized" people have even become cannibals to survive.

Patti - March 17, 2007 12:07 am (Pacific time)

Thanks for pointing this out, but I have looked beyond my own inner prism and NO, we're not all the same. Most of us do not do drugs nor would we ever think of sending our children out to deliver drugs. Nice try to blame it on our military or society at large. I believe the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of those arrested.

Dear Allen March 16, 2007 10:10 am (Pacific time)

I think we are on the same page. There is no help for people anymore because so much money is going to create military bases and to try to achieve global security....which is impossible. At this point we are beyond jobs solving the problem. That would help but so many people have been neglected for so long that they are so far gone. No one makes it one their own in this life and if someone things they did they are not looking closely enough. I am sick of people that can not see what is going on in the United States. I would imagine that the parents of these people were not able to be there for them and even if they were many of these people have psychiatric problems, adjustment disorders and were not trained to survive. Drug use is the result of a problem in most cases. All of the self-righteous comments have no meaning, depth or intelligence. I made it and I I I, you people are so egocentric that you can not see beyond your own inner prism. There are things you do not understand. Of course the children should be protected but judge the root of the problem....no healthcare, no psychiatric help, no living wage jobs, high shelter cost, high food cost, high fuel cost, no medical coverage. Send it all to overseas military bases and then stand here and wonder why people are falling apart and going into left field.

? March 16, 2007 6:40 am (Pacific time)

What do you mean whats a mother to do. Get a job. Also what about all of these fathers. Get a job you free loading frecks

Peter March 16, 2007 2:05 am (Pacific time)

I wonder how many of those kids and their moms are on Oregon Health Plan and the Oregon Trail foodstamps?

heather March 15, 2007 7:47 pm (Pacific time)

well do you think since life is hard that mothers shouldnt take care of their kids or house and that they should do drugs? i am a foster parent and currently have 7 foster kids because of moms like these. these kids love and need their mothers not drug dealers

Allen March 15, 2007 6:41 pm (Pacific time)

What I think would be helpful is if you folks had the time to investigate and report on one or two of these Moms and learn how they can to be in this situation. With having teenage children I suspect that at one time they must have had an earlier lawful life. With working in property management I have seen many of our Labor class citizens being forced out of employment and alsmost forced into dealing drugs as that is all many know outside of non-professional skills be they fry cooks, care givers or farm and construction labor. Just an idea. Keep up the great work and please add some red to your mast head. Its the All blue!!

Grandma March 15, 2007 5:56 pm (Pacific time)

Life is so hard today. What's a mother to do?

Allen March 15, 2007 5:55 pm (Pacific time)

Great reporting!! Thanks

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