JULY 9--A Delaware man wanted on a theft charge stashed 16 packets of heroin down his eight-month-old baby boy’s diaper when police spotted him walking yesterday on a New Castle street, investigators allege.

According to cops, Michael Penn recently swiped items from a Verizon store, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant for shoplifting.

Police officers approached the 25-year-old Penn while he was walking Tuesday with his three children. Seen in the adjacent mug shot, Penn was carrying the baby and his five-year-old daughter.

Directed by officers to put the children down, Penn initially refused, cops reported. At one point, Penn was seen placing something in the baby’s diaper, according to the New Castle City Police Department.

Penn was eventually detained and a search of the child’s diaper turned up the heroin stash, which can be seen in a police evidence photo. The heroin packets were stamped with brand names like “Bioshock” and “Death.”

In addition to the shoplifting count, Penn was booked into jail yesterday on narcotics, resisting arrest, and child endangerment charges. He was later released on $4500 bond. Penn’s children were turned over to the custody of his grandmother, and cops reported the incident to child welfare officials. (1 page)