Cocaine Found in Child’s Lunchbox Leads to Arrest of Dillsburg Couple

DILLSBURG, Pa. — A York County couple faces severe felony charges after employees at a local daycare discovered a bag of cocaine hidden inside a young girl’s lunchbox.

​The investigation began on the morning of May 28, 2026, when Carroll Township Police were dispatched to the Little Dreams Daycare on Orebank Road in Dillsburg. According to authorities, the child’s mother, 30-year-old Emily Arter, had dropped the girl off earlier that morning. The child’s cloth lunch bag was subsequently stored in a refrigerator inside a locked kitchen facility at the daycare.

​The illicit substance was uncovered at lunchtime when a daycare staff member began unpacking the child’s meal. Upon opening a side zipper pocket of the lunchbox, the employee found a small, clear plastic bag containing a white powder.

​Daycare administration immediately contacted law enforcement. Responding officers conducted a field test on the powder, which returned a positive result for cocaine.

​The discovery prompted Carroll Township detectives, assisted by the York County Drug Task Force, to secure a search warrant for Arter’s residence located in the first block of Walmar Manor in Franklin Township.

​Upon executing the warrant, authorities uncovered what they described as a significant drug operation. Inside the home, officers seized additional quantities of cocaine and marijuana, a cache of cash, suspected drug packaging materials, and various pieces of drug paraphernalia. Investigators noted that four small children were living in the residence amid the contraband.

​Arter and her boyfriend, 31-year-old Joel Rodriguez Melendez, who also resides at the home, were arrested on-site and transported to York County Central Booking.

​Arter has been charged with four felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one felony count of criminal conspiracy, and misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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​Melendez faces five felony counts of criminal conspiracy, alongside misdemeanor counts of drug possession and drug paraphernalia offenses.

​Both defendants were remanded to the York County Prison after failing to post $50,000 bail each. They are scheduled to appear in court for preliminary hearings on June 29, 2026.

​The Carroll Township Police Department states that the investigation remains active. Authorities urge anyone with additional information regarding the case to contact Detective Ben Martin at (717) 432-3317.