March 1, 2011

MANNFORD, OK (CNN) - A father in Oklahoma is accused of having his three young sons help him make meth.

Investigators said they suspected Michael Hagar had been making meth for some time. A tip led to a search warrant of his home.

"They had just got finished cooking whenever we arrived," said Mannford, OK, Police Chief Lucky Miller.

Miller said he is not surprised drug task force investigators found a meth lab at Hagar's home southwest of town in Creek County, or the fact they found meth in Hagar's car when they pulled him over to arrest him.

Miller and other veteran officers said they are surprised he involved his three sons in meth making.

"Having your kids involved in helping you do that stuff, it's just really upsetting," Miller said.

According to a police affidavit, all three children told officers they knew their dad was a meth cook and they even helped him do it.

Police said the older boys - a 14-year-old and 17-year-old - each tested positive for meth and marijuana in their systems, but the 10-year-old did not.

Case documents showed the 10-year-old told investigators, "I help daddy the most by shaking bottles, and after we get done, daddy puts powder in a glass tube and holds a lighter under the tube, while I suck on the tube."

Hagar is in the Creek County Jail on several drug complaints and three counts of child endangerment.

"Does he show remorse for letting his children be involved in his cooking process? Yes, he did," Miller said. "He broke down."

Hagar's sons are in DHS custody.

Three other people were also arrested at Hagar's home on drug and child endangerment complaints.