Connecticut Man Charged with Violating "Leandra's Law"

Yorktown Police report the arrest of a 47-year-old Stamford, CT resident, who is charged with two counts of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child, a Class “E” Felony, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated BAC .18% or More, an Unclassified Misdemeanor, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class “A” Misdemeanor, and Multiple Traffic Infractions.
 
On July 23, 2022 at 5:48 PM, Yorktown Police received a request from a mother to check on the welfare of her children, a 14-year-old girl and a 11-year-old boy.  The caller stated that the children called her and said they were scared because their father, the defendant, was driving erratically and they were afraid he might crash.  The caller stated the children had exited the defendant’s vehicle on Route 6 when it stopped at a red light and were now stranded on the side of the road.  Officer Campion responded to the scene, located the children, and initiated an investigation.  The children were safely transported to the Yorktown Police Department where they were reunited with their mother.  A short time later Officer Campion observed the defendant’s vehicle driving on Route 6 allegedly committing multiple traffic infractions.  Officer Campion conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and identified the driver as the defendant.  After an investigation at the scene of the stop it is alleged that the defendant was operating a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol.  The defendant was placed under arrest and transported to the Yorktown Police Department for processing.  After additional investigation it is further alleged that the defendant was operating a vehicle while intoxicated with two children as passengers, the defendant endangered the welfare of the children, and had a BAC of .18% or more.
 
After processing the defendant was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Cohen-Pierson.  A Temporary Order of Protection was issued on behalf of the victims and the defendant was released on his own recognizance to a responsible adult.  The defendant is due to appear in the Yorktown Justice Court on August 4, 2022 at 6:00 PM.