A couple was sentenced Thursday, Sept. 21, in Butler County Common Pleas Court for leaving their children home with medical marijuana on the kitchen counter last year, among other charges.

Brannon Jamar Irvin, 36, of Mars, and Brittany Irvin, 31, of Butler, were sentenced separately after pleading guilty to felony child endangerment charges and other charges.

Brannon Irvin was sentenced to serve 21 to 48 months in state prison, followed by 24 months of probation, after pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of children and possession of a controlled substance in one case, as well as a concurrent term of 24 to 48 months in prison, also followed by 24 months of probation, after pleading guilty to a charge of intimidation.

Judge Kelley Streib ordered him to have no contact with the female victim in the intimidation case.

Brittany Irvin was sentenced to serve six months to 23 months and 15 days in prison, but was immediately paroled to six months of house arrest and fined $200 after pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of children and driving with a suspended license in one case, and to concurrently serve 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to a theft charge in a separate case.

On July 11, Adams Township police responded to a call from a witness to check on the welfare of the Irvin’s children, who were left unattended in their home. Police said they smelled marijuana after two girls, ages 2 and 5, answered the door followed by a 9-year-old boy.

During a safety search of the home, police said they saw medical marijuana on the kitchen counter.

When the parents arrived two hours later, police said they saw four small baggies of suspected crack cocaine in Brannon’s vehicle.

Butler Township police filed the theft charge against Brittany following a Dec. 28, 2021, incident.