Parents Arrested With Drugs & Child in Car

By Jessie Williams 

The parents of a 1-year-old child were arrested by Macon County authorities last week, after taking officers on a high speed chase and being in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

According to the report filed by arresting officer, Deputy Logan Swindle, he was patrolling on Highway 52 W., near Evans Rd., on June 13, 2022, when he observed a dark gray Dodge Charger traveling towards him at a high rate of speed.

Officer Swindle’s in-car radar clocked the vehicle traveling at 75 mph, and he initiated his lights and sirens in an attempt to perform a traffic stop. 

The report states the driver attempted to evade the officer, traveling east at a rate of speed close to 100 mph. 

Officer Swindle observed the vehicle run a stop sign, cross over the double-yellow line into oncoming traffic and pass several vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway during the chase. 

With some assistance from the Lafayette Police Department, the deputy was able to get the vehicle to stop on Scottsville Rd. 

Upon exiting his vehicle and attempting to take the driver into custody, officer Swindle states the driver was actively resisting and would not put his hands behind his back. Officers were eventually able to get the man’s hands behind his back and take him into custody.

The driver, identified as 20-year-old Steven Bruffy, had noticeably red, bloodshot eyes, and stated he had recently smoked marijuana. 

Also in the vehicle was Bruffy’s pregnant girlfriend, 20-year-old Hannah Harter, and the couple’s 1-year-old child. 

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a wrapped up $1 bill that contained a white crystal-like substance. This substance weighed approximately 1.5 grams and field tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl. Also found in the vehicle was a glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine. 

The meth & fentanyl mixture was located under the passenger seat where Harter was sitting, and next to the child’s milk bottle. 

Both Bruffy and Harter denied the drugs belonged to them. 

They were both arrested, and the Department of Childrens Services took custody of the child.

Bruffy was charged with evading arrest, reckless driving, reckless endangerment (2 counts), aggravated child abuse/neglect of a child, driving on a suspended license, speeding, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, possession of a schedule I drug, violation of implied consent law, possession of drug paraphernalia and manufacture, delivery or possession of methamphetamine. His bond was set at $30,000.

Harter was charged with possession of a Schedule I drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture, delivery or possession of meth and aggravated child abuse/neglect of a child. Her bond was set at $20,000. 

Both individuals are scheduled to appear in general sessions court on July 20, 2022. 

Macon County Sheriff Mark Gammons would like to thank those officers involved in this case, and says this type of incident involving children has recently become more prevalent.

“We are doing everything in our power to combat this issue, and I urge anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity to contact our office,” he stated. “Callers may choose to remain anonymous.”