Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Obtains Arrest Warrant for Exposure of a Controlled Substance to a Child

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Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

MURPHY, N.C. — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has obtained an arrest warrant for Tosha Savannah Eller, 34, of Murphy, following an investigation involving the exposure of a newborn child to controlled substances.

On June 8, 2026, authorities were notified of the birth of a child in Cherokee County a few days prior. The newborn was subsequently transferred to Erlanger East Hospital and admitted to the NICU for substance withdrawal complications. During the investigation, authorities learned the child tested positive for Ecstasy (MDMA), amphetamines, and fentanyl.

Investigators also determined that Eller left the hospital shortly after the birth and, as of this release, has not had contact with law enforcement or the child.

On June 11, 2026, Detective Sparks of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division secured a warrant for Eller’s arrest on one count of Felony Exposure of a Child to a Controlled Substance. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is actively attempting to locate Eller and serve the outstanding warrant. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency.

Sheriff Chris Wood stated, “This is a heartbreaking situation all the way around. We must hold individuals accountable for their actions especially when those actions can have tragic outcomes. It is essential and a top priority of this office to protect the well-being and innocence of the children in our community.”

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.