On Sunday, around 12:04 p.m. a Michigan State Police trooper was called to a motel on US-31 Highway in Benzonia Township for a welfare check.

A woman had rented a room the day before but did not check out the following day. The manager made several attempts to call the room, but there was no answer. The manager went to the room with the master key. After several attempts of knocking and announcing his presence, the manager used the master key to unlock the door. The door would not fully open due to the chain still being in place. A small dog was inside barking, and the manager could see personal items inside the room. Fearing something was wrong, he called law enforcement.

State Police say the trooper arrived and announced his presence. There was still no response from inside the room. The chain was cut, and the trooper found 39-year-old Misty Ray Branch from Beulah, unresponsive on the bed. The trooper checked her vital signs and called EMS. EMS arrived and were eventually able to awaken Branch. She appeared confused and disoriented.

The trooper saw signs of narcotics use. There were pipes used for smoking methamphetamine and marijuana, lighters, and several knives on the bed. The trooper also located a small plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine. Branch refused medical treatment and was placed under arrest. She was lodged in the Benzie County Jail.

Branch was arraigned yesterday in Benzie County on one count Possession Methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $10,000 and her next scheduled court appearance is on May 19, at 1:30 p.m.