A Mayport woman is facing charges of DUI with her child in the vehicle.
The New Bethlehem Borough Police Department filed charges against 29-year-old Jo-ann Ellen Smith, of Mayport. According to court documents there are 5 charges, among those: Endangering the Welfare of a Child, DUI involving a High Alcohol BAC, & Reckless Driving.
The New Bethlehem Borough Police Department answered a call to a residence on State Route 28 in Mayport. Someone at the residence told police that Smith had been driving intoxicated with her child in the vehicle.
According to investigators, while they were speaking to the witness, Smith drove by police, who watched as Smith allegedly crossed the double yellow lines. She pulled into the parking area of the residence and stumbled out of the vehicle with her child in her arms.
Smith told police she and the witness had argued earlier and the child had fallen down the stairs.
Police allege that she told them she “did not take the child to the hospital because he had fallen asleep and her friend needed a ride from a bar in town.”
EMS was called to the scene to check on the crying child. The child was transported to Clarion Hospital Emergency Room.
During a field sobriety test Smith showed signs of intoxication, according to police, and she recorded a positive for the presence of alcohol at .138%.
Smith was arrested for suspicion of DUI and was released to her stepfather.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 22, in front of Judge Miller.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”InFirst”]
