A new dangerous drug could be a contributing factor in the death of a 19-year-old man in Lamar County.
The Lamar County Sheriff's Office says they're investigating whether a codeine syrup concoction, known as "lean," may have played a part in the death of Ryan Lovick.
Investigators say Lovick died last Wednesday in the home he shares with his mother. They say she discovered him unresponsive in his bedroom.
Authorities allege Ryan Lovick was abandoned by 21-year-old Katherine Norden, 19-year-old Jessica Casteel and 21-year-old Elbert Horton.
"What they stated was he was cold to the touch and they didn't call any emergency services, did not call 911. They left the house, the residence, and went on about their daily activities," said Captain Todd Pippen of the Lamar County Sheriff's Office.
Pippen said that three posted a $2,000 bond after investigators charged them last Thursday with abandonment of a dead body.
FOX 5 could not reach Lovick and Horton; Norden had no comment.
Pippen says a toxicology report should determine the exact cause of death. That report should be released next week. Pippen says that a contributing factor is believed to be lean, which is a mixture containing Promethazen, codeine syrup and another beverage.
Pippen says all three suspects told investigators about their partying with Ryan Lovick late Tuesday night shortly before his death.
"There was the mention…that the victim had ingested lean," Pippen said. "You just don't abandon and leave him there."
Promethazene is often used as a sedative in pre-surgery or used to treat motion sickness.
Pippen says the district attorney will present the case to the grand jury with the recommendation that charges be upgraded to concealment of a body, which carries a stiffer sentence than the current charge.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:14 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:14:44 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times outside their Sandy Springs apartment in 2011.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:52:10 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:40 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:40:32 GMT
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:38 GMT
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans.
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans. Tyler Head was injured in a high school wrestling tournament in December, and getting back and forth to therapy is a vital to his recovery.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:44:36 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:33 GMT
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:03 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:03:36 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:29 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:29:05 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Ryan Lovick, a former baseball player at Lamar High School, died last Thursday.
Authorities allege Ryan Lovick was abandoned by 21-year-old Katherine Norden, 19-year-old Jessica Casteel and 21-year-old Elbert Horton. (Photo courtesy Barnesville Dispatch)
