Family members’ concerns about a 4-year-old’s breathing problems led to the arrest of a 26-year-old now charged with trying to make methamphetamine in his south Lawrence apartment.

James L. Mietchen, 26, of 2531 Redbud Lane, was arrested Monday afternoon while police officers searched his apartment.

Officers had obtained a search warrant based on information provided by Mietchen’s relatives, said Sgt. Dan Ward of the Lawrence Police Department.

Ward said family members went to the apartment to try to figure out why Mietchen’s 4-year-old child was suffering respiratory problems. Mietchen has shared custody of the child, Ward said.

“They went to the house and found what they believed to be a meth lab,” Ward said.

Family members reported the information to police Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, police officers were at the apartment.

During the search, Ward said, officers also found child pornography downloaded from the Internet on Mietchen’s personal computer. Ward said officers were continuing to investigate where the pornography originated.

Mietchen made his first appearance Tuesday in Douglas County District Court. He said he understood the laundry list of charges against him, including unlawful possession of materials associated with methamphetamine, the intent to manufacture meth, possession of child pornography and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Judge Pro-Tem Peggy Kittel appointed an attorney to Mietchen. Kittel also set Mietchen’s bond at $50,000 based on the recommendation of Assistant Dist. Atty. Scott McPherson.

McPherson said Mietchen was a danger to the community and a flight risk.

Mietchen’s child is now in the custody of family members.