Left to right: Chad Starling, Mary Starling, and Tammy Ellis/Credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office

(KAIR)--An investigation, focused on an Effingham residence where a young girl was allegedly exposed to methamphetamine, leads to another arrest.

According to Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith, a search warrant was executed Thursday morning in Effingham, with 37-year-old Chad Michael Starling arrested at the residence, located at 708 George Street.

Starling, of Effingham, was allegedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

According to Smith, Starling faces charges for aggravated child endangerment and aggravated battery, which were the focus of the warrant, along with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

According to Smith, Starling is the son of Mary Starling, and the boyfriend of Tammy Ellis.

That pair was arrested in September at the same address on charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and aggravated endangerment of a child.

Authorities allege that a 6-year-old girl inside the home at that time tested positive for methamphetamine use, with Sheriff Jack Laurie saying in September that a charge of aggravated battery was pending due to the condition of the child, who Laurie said had not been enrolled in school.

That charge is now levied against Chad Starling, who was booked into the Atchison County Jail following his Thursday arrest.

He is held on a bond of $10,000.

64-year-old Mary Starling remains in custody, held on a $5,000 bond, while 42-year-old Tammy Ellis also remains in custody, held on no bond.