On Monday, August 10 th  at about 9:00 am, Marysville Police Officers were sent to the Budget Inn Motel in the City of Marysville for a reported vandalism.  Officers arrived on scene and observed the front and back window frames were blown out of an apartment.  All evidence indicated this to be an explosion from a honey oil lab.  Through the investigation, officers ascertained that there had been an adult female, two adult males and two young children in the room.  The female was identified as Brenda Pitkin, 36, of Marysville, and the male was identified as Leo Arnold, 42, of Marysville.  These two left the motel and went directly to Rideout ER before officers arrived.  Both are currently being treated for second-degree and third-degree burns.  Felony charges of child endangerment and manufacturing a controlled substance will be filed with the Yuba County District Attorney’s office on these two suspects once they are released from the hospital. 

Shane Russ, 25, of Marysville was on scene with his two children, both under two years old.  Shane and the children did not have any visible injuries.  Shane was arrested and booked into the Yuba County Jail for felony child endangerment and for manufacturing a controlled substance.  Child Protective Services (CPS) took custody of the two children and are currently working to reunite the children with a family member who can provide care and safety for them. 

Agents from Yuba/Sutter Net 5 assisted Marysville Police Officers with this investigation.  Marysville Police would like to thank Net 5, the Marysville Fire Department, and CPS for their assistance on this case.