A Texas mother faces charges after allegedly driving drunk with her five-month-old infant in the backseat, authorities said. Ivana Dolores Salazar, 27, told police she was en route to pick up her baby at daycare, unaware the child was already with her, according to the El Paso Times.
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Deputies arrested Salazar at 1:28 a.m. Sunday following a traffic stop. She failed to signal while changing lanes, prompting officers to pull her over. During the stop, police spotted a glass container of "unknown red liquid" in her car, raising suspicions of intoxication. Salazar claimed she had just left work and was alone in the vehicle, heading to retrieve her infant.
Officers soon discovered otherwise. After placing Salazar in handcuffs, they found her five-month-old child in the backseat, improperly secured in a car seat. El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte detailed the encounter. "Salazar repeated she was on her way to pick up her baby," he wrote. "Deputies escorted her back to the vehicle and pointed out the child in the back."
Salazar grew uncooperative, insisting she didn't know the infant was there. Authorities charged her with driving while intoxicated with a passenger under 15 and one count of child endangerment. She was booked into El Paso County Jail with a $23,000 bond but was released the same day on personal recognizance, jail records show, the El Paso Times reported.
Infant's Safety Sparks Concern
The discovery of the improperly secured infant alarmed authorities. Police took the child to a hospital for evaluation, though the infant's condition remains unclear. Child Protective Services stepped in, releasing the baby to a "responsible party," officials confirmed. The incident has raised questions about Salazar's awareness and responsibility that night.
Sheriff Ugarte emphasized the gravity of the situation. "Her claims didn't align with the evidence," he noted. The presence of the red liquid and her behavior fueled deputies' suspicions, leading to the swift arrest. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the substance or Salazar's sobriety test results.
Texas' Strict Stance
Salazar's release on personal recognizance allows her to await trial without posting bail, a decision tied to local judicial discretion, the El Paso Times reported. The charges she faces carry serious penalties, reflecting Texas' strict stance on impaired driving and child safety.
As the investigation continues, Texas authorities urge drivers to prioritize safety and accountability on the road. Salazar's next court appearance remains unscheduled, but her actions that night have already left a lasting mark.
