SHPD says drug charges not dropped against daycare owner

UPDATE 1:15PM THU FEB 16 2023

The Shannon Hills Police Department stated on Thursday morning that the charges against Elizabeth Crouse (below) have not been dropped. Several comments on social media said they were dropped, so MySaline followed up on that rumor. Sgt Keech replied to an email saying, “We do not try cases on Facebook or other social media. The comments on Facebook about charges being dropped are without merit.”

Sgt Keech couldn’t say exactly how much marijuana was found in Crouse’s possession, except to reiterate that the charges listed include a Class D Felony charge. MySaline will keep you updated on this story as more details become available.

UPDATE 4:23PM TUE FEB 14, 2023 

A Benton woman is facing several charges related to an arrest in Shannon Hills. The Shannon Hills Police Department provided the arrest report stating that Elizabeth Diann Crouse, age 40, was speeding on Shannon Hills Drive, so Officer Willie Jordan pulled over her vehicle.

According to the Secretary of State corporation records, Crouse is the owner of Sky Early Learning Center, LLC, located at 410 Lora Dr, Bryant, AR 72022. There was also a passenger in the vehicle, Jada Lanae Bowers, age 20.

Officer Jordan stated in the report that about 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2023 he made a traffic stop on Shannon Hills Dr for speeding. “I made contact with the driver Elizabeth Crouse, upon speaking with her I could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle.”

The officer said he asked Crouse if there was any marijuana in the vehicle and noted that she stated, “Yes there was some in her vehicle in the center console.”

According to Officer Jordan, he then informed Crouse he would be conduct a search on her vehicle. The officer noted in the report, “I found multiple individual bags of marijuana, two vape pens containing THC Oil, a purple bottle containing THC Oil, drug paraphernalia, and two handguns.”

He stated that he also searched a purse in Bower’s possession, and found it was containing a small amount of marijuana. Bowers was cited and released on the scene. Crouse was then arrested and taken to Saline County Detention Center.

Crouse is being charged with:

• Speeding 1-15 mph over the speed limit (Class C Misdemeanor)
• Possession of Schedule VI Drug (Marijuana) with Purpose to Deliver (Class D Felony),
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor).

She was booked at SCDC on Feb 12, 2023 at 12:49 a.m. (Sat night/Sun morn), and released on Feb 13, 2023 at 3:24 p.m. with zero bond.