MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — Reality TV star Amy Slaton Halterman was arrested on multiple charges, including drug possession, at a Tennessee zoo on Monday.
The Crockett County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release that deputies were called to the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo after Halterman, who stars in the TLC series “1,000-Lb Sisters,” claimed that a camel bit her. Halterman was with a man named Brian Lovvorn at the time.
When deputies arrived, they were “immediately overtaken” by suspicious odors coming from the pair’s vehicle. The cause of the smell was not disclosed.
The department also said two children were in the car during the incident, though their ages were not specified.
Both Halterman and Lovvorn were charged with illegal possession of Schedule I and Schedule VI drugs, as well as two counts of child endangerment.
“Our officers’ concern (was) not only the possession of the illegal drugs, what we believe to be mushrooms. You got two children that are in the vehicle with you,” said Crockett County Sheriff’s Department PIO Stephen Sutton. “Who’s under the influence? What exactly is going on?”
The kids are with family while the Department of Human Services investigates, authorities said.
Meanwhile, Halterman and Lovvorn were seen leaving the Crockett County Jail hand-in-hand on Tuesday after paying their $10,000 bond.
A reporter for Nexstar’s WREG spoke with Halterman, who thanked her fans for their support. She alleged that she was bitten on her right arm by one of the park’s camels and taken to an area hospital to be treated for her wounds the night before.
However, Claude Conley, the park’s co-owner, said her injury was inconsistent with a camel bite.
“It was just on top of the arm, and if a camel bit, it would kind of bite down on there,” Conley said, while grabbing his forearm. “We don’t think the customers were in their right mind at the time.”
For safety reasons, park visitors are asked to follow specific rules, such as not getting out of their vehicles or feeding the animals by hand.
As Crockett County officers continue to investigate, Conley said he’s been getting calls from national media outlets asking about Halterman and her arrest.
“TMZ, PEOPLE magazine, all of them (are) calling us for interviews,” he said.