Suspected child abuser arrested in Ronan

Ronald Melvin Parnell, 32 of Ronan pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony sexual abuse of children and one count of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs in Lake County court today.

Parnell was arrested Jan. 11 on Round Butte Road in Ronan and is incarcerated at Lake County Detention Center in Polson.

Parnell was at home when an adult probation officer executed a search of his residence.

Officers found enough evidence to charge Parnell with two felony counts of abuse against children and a white powdery substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.