Taking care of small children is often no easy task. When unexpected stressors occur — such as a flat tire while traveling followed by a confrontation with a police officer — a person’s body may respond in surprising way, potentially even causing a person to faint. Unfortunately, a mother and father in Virginia now face drug charges and accusations of drunk driving, respectively, after a police officer came across them changing a flat tire.
The incident that led to their arrests reportedly happened on a day in late April. According to reports, a police officer reportedly discovered two men changing a tire. A woman was reportedly outside of the vehicle with a 4-year-old child. The police officer claims that while he was talking to the people, the 30-year-old woman “leaned over with her eyes closed,” prompting the officer to administer Narcan, a drug effective in temporarily reversing an overdose. It is unclear what led the officer to suspect drug use.
The officer further claims that the child’s father, allegedly the driver of the vehicle, smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes. He was also unsteady on his feet and slurring his speech, according to the officer. A search of the vehicle reportedly resulted in the discovery of a syringe and a bag with white residue. The mother was charged with child neglect and possession of drug paraphernalia while the father faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, driving under the influence and driving suspended.
Unfortunately, drunk driving and other allegations can have a serious impact on a person’s personal and professional life, even if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not guilty of the charges. As such, many people in Virginia facing similar allegations want to ensure that they do everything in their power to defend themselves. This often prompts them to seek guidance from a professional with experience with such cases.