Police: Texas Mother 'Gives' Toddler To Wagoner Man Arrested In Traffic Stop

A Pittsburg County police chief credits a traffic stop with saving the life of a 2-year-old Texas boy.

Wagoner resident Chester Burkholder, 43, was arrested Tuesday after a Kiowa Police officer stopped his car going north on U.S. Highway 69.

The officer, along with his K-9 partner, searched the car and found crack cocaine.

Kiowa Police Chief Tony Runyon says the officer noticed a toddler in the back seat.  When Burkholder was asked about the child, he told the officer he had picked up the boy in Gainesville, Texas and was taking him to his girlfriend's home in Wagoner.

Runyon said the officer was concerned about the child's condition and called the Department of Human Services. Burkholder said the Texas woman didn't want the child anymore and was giving him to her friend in Wagoner.

Burkholder was placed under arrest and DHS took the child into protective custody.

When deputies searched Burkholder at the Pittsburg County jail they found more drugs in his underwear.

Runyon says the child was wearing a filthy diaper and was complaining of being very hungry. Runyon told his officer the traffic stop probably saved the child's life.

Burkholder was charged Wednesday with possession of a controlled and dangerous substance, child abuse by neglect, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to maintain security verification.

Runyon says Kiowa Police are working with the Gainesville, Texas and Wagoner Police Departments.