Prison for man who exposed son to meth

A Clarendon man was sentenced outside the sentence guidelines for smoking methamphetamine in front of his five-year-old son.

The exposure necessitated emergency medical attention for the child.

The sentence was handed down to Tyler J. Steele, 29, on Friday by Judge Gregory Hammond.

Hammond, referencing a letter from the mother, said the child felt like his head was going to pop off and that his arms and legs were tingling.

She further told the court that he has had ongoing behavioral problems as a result.

Hammond equated methamphetamine use to a "slow suicide" that the court can't necessarily stop in adults.

"We sure as heck," he added, "can protect your son."

Steel was then sentenced to just over 10 months in county prison.

See Saturday's Times Observer for a full story.