JELLICO, TN (WLAF) – A man and a woman, believed to be husband and wife by jail officials, were reportedly passed out in the bed of a pick-up truck on Saturday evening while a seven year old girl was with them.

Campbell County Sheriff’s Deputy Raymond Surber was dispatched to the Wooldridge Convenience Center at 6pm finding Josh Simpkins standing beside a pick-up truck. Simpkins was holding a cooler with a blank stare on his face appearing lethargic and slurring his words according to the sheriff’s office report. As the deputy was taking Simpkins into custody, a woman said to be the grandmother of the seven year old, showed up to care for the girl.

Based on the report, Bridgett Simpkins was found passed out, laying on her back in the bed of the pick-up truck. Deputy Surber was unable to wake her, and then after unsuccessfully administering a sternum rub, gave her a dose of NARCAN. In less than a minute, Bridgett Simpkins came around, as Campbell County EMS arrived to check her out before she was taken into custody.

Deputy Surber was given permission to search the truck where he found a loaded shotgun. Also located was a pill bottle with Bridgett Simpkins name on it containing five and a half disks, believed to be Methodone. A small, clear bag with a brown residue on it was found.

Joshua Dewayne Simpkins, 30, 1016 Elk Fork Road, Pioneer, was charged with possession of a handgun under the influence, PI (public intoxication) and child abuse and neglect or endangerment. He continues to be housed in the Campbell County Jail this morning on a $500,000 secure bond and is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on Thursday.

Charges levied against Bridgett Miranda Simpkins, 27, 1377 Red Bird Road, Williamsburg, Kentucky, are possession of a handgun under the influence, PI (public intoxication), possession of a schedule II controlled substance and child abuse and neglect or endangerment. She is due in General Sessions Court tomorrow and remains housed in the Campbell County Jail today with a secure bond set at $525,000.

A Department of Children Services referral was made, and the child was released to her grandmother. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/27/2022-6AM)