Police: Mother of murdered girl likely sold meth to alleged killer

Bullhead City police say a woman whose 8-year-old daughter was murdered last month likely supplied methamphetamine to the girl's alleged killer.

Tania Ann Grogan, 29, and her husband, Ralph Pat Leroy Folster III, 28, were arrested Wednesday evening on suspicion of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs for sale and the sale of dangerous drugs, according to a statement of the Bullhead City Police Department. Grogan also faces a charge of manufacturing dangerous drugs.

Police said Folster initially refused to comply with officers' demands on Wednesday but surrendered after a more than two-hour standoff.

A narcotics team began investigating the couple after receiving information in September that they were allegedly dealing methamphetamine and heroin.

That information may have been uncovered while police investigated the murder of Isabella "Bella" Grogan-Cannella, whose partially-clothed body was found in a shallow grave on Sept. 3, a day after the 8-year-old was reported missing.

Justin James Rector, 26, a family acquaintance, is charged in her death.

Police say they are investigating Grogan on allegations that she supplied methamphetamine to Rector and left her children in a dangerous environment. According to police, Bella's sister said she, Bella and Rector were playing a game the night of the disappearance. The girl said she went to use the bathroom and, by the time she returned, they were gone.

Authorities on Wednesday were executing a search warrant at the couple's home and at the duplex next door.

Police say the couple will be booked into the Mohave County Jail in Kingman.