Elk City Couple Released from Jail After Child Neglect Charges Stemming from Drug Use Investigation

6-12

October 15, 2024

An Elk City couple has been released from the Beckham County Detention Center after being charged with child neglect.

The investigation started in late July when an Elk City Police Department detective was contacted by an investigator from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. According to a probable cause affidavit, the case involved a woman who allegedly tested positive for controlled substances after giving birth.

The affidavit identifies the woman as 22-year-old Raven Thunderbull, who reportedly attempted to use fake urine during testing and denied using methamphetamine and marijuana. However, a “cord stat test” for the newborn showed no methamphetamine. Both Thunderbull and a second person, 21-year-old Stephen Phillips, were interviewed and allegedly admitted to using meth in July.

The detective also consulted with a parole and probation officer supervising the defendants and learned that Thunderbull and Phillips had tested positive for drugs in July, leading to the child neglect charges.

Copyright 2024 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

2603100736_1952593

Fires Being Investigated in Roger Mills County

Roger Mills County, OK — Local firefighters responded Monday to three separate grass fires in Roger Mills County, with authorities saying evidence suggests the fires may have been intentionally set. According to Roger Mills County Sheriff Darren

2603051757_1435090

Fatal Crash Reported South of Foss

Foss, OK – A fatal two-vehicle collision occurred early Thursday morning, March 5, on State Highway 44 in Washita County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash happened at approximately 4:14 a.m. at the intersection of

2603021239_2113873

Celebrating 125 Years of Excellence at SWOSU

Weatherford, OK — On March 6, 2026, the SWOSU community will come together to celebrate an incredible milestone, 125 years of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. For more than a century, SWOSU has been a place where tradition,