Two Austin residents appeared in Mower County court Friday on felony drug charges after a Wednesday search uncovered methamphetamine at their house.

Bryan Douglas Battin, 43, faces felony counts of drug possession and sales, as well as a third felony count for storing meth paraphernalia around children. Angelina Marie Barnes, 37, also faces a felony drug possession charge and a second count for storing meth paraphernalia around children.

Their 120 Clinton St. home was searched by members of the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics and Gang Task Force, which is made up off a number of regional police departments and sheriff’s offices, including the Austin Police Department.

Lt. Matt Holten of the APD and his K-9 Ghost joined the search, and Ghost found numerous bags containing meth residue in both an upstairs and downstairs bedroom, according to a court complaint.

More meth was found in the basement, and a scale was found in the main-floor bedroom.

Upstairs, authorities found a juvenile female, who is Barnes’ daughter. In the first-floor bedroom, Barnes was found with a 2-month-old grandchild, according to the complaint.

Battin was not home during the search but was arrested later at a nearby residence.

When questioned, Barnes said the meth and related paraphernalia belonged to Battin. She said she didn’t allow him to use it in the house or around the children.

Barnes said the two were behind with rent payments, so Battin had “been doing odd jobs” to make ends meet, according to the complaint, and the meth helped him stay awake. She said she didn’t know if he had been selling meth to help pay rent but did know there was a scale in the house.

Barnes initially said she had last smoked meth with Battin about a month ago, but later admitted to police she had used it the day before to get through work.

When Battin was arrested, he said “you guys damn well know (the drugs are) Angel’s,” a reference to Barnes. The complaint states that Battin was evasive and vague when questioned, and he maintained that the drugs and paraphernalia belonged to Barnes.

The two are in Mower County custody and scheduled for arraignment on Aug. 13.