Carol Stream mom, son charged with growing pot on balcony

Of all the places to grow marijuana, police say a Carol Stream mother and son picked one in plain sight — their apartment balcony.

Candy Ristau, 44, and her 18-year-old son Kyle appeared in DuPage County bond court Thursday on misdemeanor charges of cannabis production and possession.

Authorities said the pair was arrested Wednesday after tests confirmed that a roughly 2-foot-tall potted plant found on their third-floor apartment balcony was marijuana.

Carol Stream Police Cmdr. Ken George said an officer seized the plant after spotting it on the balcony on the 300 block of President Street in September. When confronted, he said, the Ristaus acknowledged ownership of the plant and indicated it was for personal use.

“It's weird, but one plant — usually these ‘grow houses' have so much more,” George said.

At a brief bond hearing Thursday, Judge Michael Wolfe set bail at $3,000 for Candy Ristau and $5,000 for Kyle Ristau, who had a prior arson case, according to prosecutors.

The defendants return to court next month.