R.C. man pleads not guilty to drug, child endangerment charges

A man accused of possessing narcotics for sale and leaving drug syringes in his infant child's crib pleaded not guilty to six felonies this morning in West Valley Superior Court.

Sheriff's deputies found about 30 latex balloons filled with heroin in Anthony Armendarz's truck last week after he was pulled over and arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Read the story on his arrest from today's newspaper.

Deputies searched a Rancho Cucamonga apartment that Armendarez, 27, shared with his girlfriend, 25-year-old Gabriela Duarte, and found syringes filled with heroin and cocaine in a crib used by the couple's 1-year-old son. Deputies also found syringes in a bathroom used by the couple's 7-year-old son.

The six felony charges filed against Armendarez include five related to drug sales, and one for willful cruelty to a child. He remained jailed this morning in lieu of $250,000 bail, and is next due in court Tuesday.

Duarte was also arrested and charged with two felonies: one for drug sales and one for willful cruelty to a child. She posted bail and was released from West Valley Detention Center before appearing in court.