Loretta
09-01-2007, 01:17 AM
http://www.wbir.com/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=48643
Last updated: 8/31/2007 5:30:04 PM
An Indiana woman is in jail for allegedly allowing her five-year-old child to drive a car.
Neighbors were able to prevent the situation from turning into a tragedy over the weekend.
"I saw a toddler at the wheel and another toddler on the console. I said, 'Ma'am, are you letting your toddler drive?' She said, 'Yes. He's a good driver,'" said Wendy Barrett.
Holly Schnobrich, 24, of Lafayette was also a passenger in the car.
She's now in jail, charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent and one count of public intoxication.
She is the mother of the five-year-old boy driving the car.
Her three-year-old was also in the car.
"He was on his knees saying he was driving mommy's car and having trouble reaching the pedal," said Barrett.
Barrett and her neighbors quickly grabbed the keys and pulled the children from the car before calling 911.
They say Schnobrich was visibly impaired and asked for the keys so she could drive away with the children.
According to a police report, the woman's speech was slurred and she failed all field sobriety tests.
She also allegedly told deputies that she'd taken Percocet, a prescription painkiller for "when the kids are acting wild."
Prosecutors and witnesses believe this isn't the first time Schnobrich has let the five-year-old drive.
Her arrest comes just four days into probation after pleading guilty to DUI.
Officers also allegedly found a large bottle of over-the-counter sleeping pills recently purchased and nearly consumed.
"These children were placed in great danger by the person who legally should be providing the care and protection of them," said Patrick Harrington, Tippecanoe County prosecutor.
Police say Schnobrich endangered her children and anyone on the road near their car Saturday night.
The children were safely taken by the Department of Child Services.
Police also say Schnobrich also was the only one in the car wearing a seatbelt.
Chris Proffitt, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, Indiana
Last updated: 8/31/2007 5:30:04 PM
An Indiana woman is in jail for allegedly allowing her five-year-old child to drive a car.
Neighbors were able to prevent the situation from turning into a tragedy over the weekend.
"I saw a toddler at the wheel and another toddler on the console. I said, 'Ma'am, are you letting your toddler drive?' She said, 'Yes. He's a good driver,'" said Wendy Barrett.
Holly Schnobrich, 24, of Lafayette was also a passenger in the car.
She's now in jail, charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent and one count of public intoxication.
She is the mother of the five-year-old boy driving the car.
Her three-year-old was also in the car.
"He was on his knees saying he was driving mommy's car and having trouble reaching the pedal," said Barrett.
Barrett and her neighbors quickly grabbed the keys and pulled the children from the car before calling 911.
They say Schnobrich was visibly impaired and asked for the keys so she could drive away with the children.
According to a police report, the woman's speech was slurred and she failed all field sobriety tests.
She also allegedly told deputies that she'd taken Percocet, a prescription painkiller for "when the kids are acting wild."
Prosecutors and witnesses believe this isn't the first time Schnobrich has let the five-year-old drive.
Her arrest comes just four days into probation after pleading guilty to DUI.
Officers also allegedly found a large bottle of over-the-counter sleeping pills recently purchased and nearly consumed.
"These children were placed in great danger by the person who legally should be providing the care and protection of them," said Patrick Harrington, Tippecanoe County prosecutor.
Police say Schnobrich endangered her children and anyone on the road near their car Saturday night.
The children were safely taken by the Department of Child Services.
Police also say Schnobrich also was the only one in the car wearing a seatbelt.
Chris Proffitt, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, Indiana