Key witness in Deblase case arrested

DAPHNE, Alabama (WALA) - A key figure in a Mobile murder case involving two children has been arrested in Baldwin County. Roseana Russell was arrested by Daphne Police on Wednesday. Russell previously spent time in Mobile Metro jail with Heather Keaton. Russell told investigators that Keaton confessed to her that she helped poison and kill her stepchildren; Natalie and Jonathan Chase Deblase. Now, weeks later, Russell is in trouble herself.

Roseanna Russell was the focus of testimony in a high profile case murder just weeks ago. Now, she is behind bars for possession of a controlled substance.

"She called the Walgreens here in Daphne and called in a prescription for narcotics. The pharmacist thought it was fishy so she did some checking," said Lt. Jud Beedy with Daphne Police.

Police say the pharmacy called the doctor's office only to find out the mentioned doctor was out of town. Beedy said they quickly realized that the call-in was fake.

"Part of their follow-up when they get a suspicious prescription that they call the doctors office and the office said not only did they not call it in but that the doctor was on vacation out of town," said Beedy.

Beedy said the prescription was flagged, and the pharmacist was told if anyone came to pick it up to call police. Police say Russell came to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription.

The pharmacist called 911, and tried to stall Russell as long as she could.

Police said Russell got back into her car with the prescription and started to drive away, but she didn't make it far down the road.

"We had patrol units around the store waiting for when she left," said Beedy.

Beedy said Russell was pulled over and the prescription was found. Russell was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Russell is being held with no bond in the Baldwin County Corrections Facility.

In a preliminary hearing earlier this month, Russell said Keaton told her that she and the children's father, John Deblase, killed the children by giving them antifreeze. The case has been sent to the grand jury.

Keaton is charged with two counts of capital murder.