PLAINWELL, Mich. — A man was found dead in a car with a 2-year-old child in the backseat overnight in Allegan County.
The Allegan County Sheriff is investigating the death of Levi Newcomb, 29, of Kalamazoo.
Detectives say that a motorist contacted a deputy at a gas station in Plainwell just before 1:00am Monday about a person passed out in a vehicle with a child in the back seat. The deputy and first responders attempted to revive Newcomb, but were not successful. A second person was found inside the business who had been traveling with Newcomb and the child.
Allegan County Sheriff Frank Baker says the two-year-old is with family members.
Detectives say that Newcomb had a history of drug abuse and other health issues. An autopsy is scheduled and they are also awaiting toxicology results.
“Addiction is a lifelong struggle for many people," said Baker. "Even though they may have successes, it’s something that they have to stay on top of because it’s easy to relapse.”
FOX 17 News profiled Newcomb in 2014 as one of seven men who graduated from Van Buren County's Drug Treatment Court program. He had been addicted to meth and had survived a meth lab explosion in 2009.
At the time, Newcomb told FOX 17 he completed two years of courses: he was working full-time, sober, and turning his life around with his wife for their five children.
