St. Louis, MO: A 28-year-old woman was taken into custody after authorities discovered her sleeping in the rear seat while her 8-year-old child was driving on the wrong side on a street in St. Louis.
Law enforcement officers were present in the vicinity of 4th and Walnut Street in downtown St. Louis near the iconic Gateway Arch on Monday. They observed a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction, heading west in the eastbound lanes. They were in for a surprise when they pulled the car over and found an 8-year-old boy behind the wheel..
His mother, Latonya Mayes-Gale was reportedly found sleeping in the rear seat. According to reports, she supposedly allowed the boy to take control of the vehicle while she settled into the backseat.
According to authorities, a 3-year-old was also present in the vehicle without being properly secured in a car seat. Mayes-Gale was apprehended by officers on charges of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
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After being booked into the City Justice Center, she has been released on bond. According to the Riverfront Times, during the bond hearing, Mayes-Gale’s attorney mentioned that she is responsible for raising her two children, working as a home health aide, and taking care of an elderly grandparent who is homebound.
According to her attorney, various factors including stress and mental health were contributing factors in the incident.
According to court records, the judge approved the bond despite the prosecutors’ objection. Records indicate that Mayes-Gale is currently under house arrest and is prohibited from having contact with her children. According to the Riverfront Times, the children are currently residing with their father.