PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould driver faces a felony child-endangerment charge after police said she traveled 84 mph while intoxicated with a child in the back seat.
Sarah Jean Moncada faces the following charges:
- First-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, a Class D felony
- Driving while intoxicated
- Possession of an open alcohol container in a vehicle, a Class C misdemeanor
- Refusal to submit to a chemical test
- Speeding more than 15 mph over the posted limit, a Class C misdemeanor
Police stopped Moncada on July 24 after observing her traveling 84 mph in a posted 60 mph zone, according to a probable cause affidavit.
An anonymous caller had reported Moncada driving at a high rate of speed and nearly striking another motorist head-on.
When officers approached the vehicle, they saw a child in the back seat and detected an odor of alcohol. Police said Moncada had slurred speech and bloodshot, watery eyes.
Officers also reported seeing an open alcohol container in the center console.
After Moncada exited the vehicle, officers described the odor of alcohol coming from her as very strong. She declined a preliminary breath test but participated in field sobriety testing.
Police reported observing four of six possible clues during a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, four of eight during a walk-and-turn test and one of four during a one-leg stand.
During the walk-and-turn test, Moncada reportedly said she would not be good at it “even if she were not completely sober or taking Klonopin,” according to the affidavit.
Moncada was taken to the police station for additional testing but refused to provide a breath sample for blood-alcohol testing.
District Judge Curtis Hitt found probable cause and set Moncada’s bond at $10,000 cash only.
Moncada is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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