Mother Arrested for Driving with Son in Trunk of Dodge Challenger
A mother in Georgia is facing charges of reckless conduct and a seat belt violation after driving down the road with her son in the open trunk of a Dodge Challenger. The incident came to light after a video went viral online, leading police to track down the woman at her home. She has been arrested and is awaiting her trial date.
Police Investigation
Gwinnett County Police were alerted to the incident by a third party who saw the video online. The short clip clearly shows a child in the open trunk of a car along with another object. Authorities had to conduct an investigation to identify the vehicle owner and verify the authenticity of the video.
Arrest and Charges
With the help of a camera system called Flock, police located the vehicle and obtained additional images of the child in the trunk. They used license plate data to identify the owner and apprehend her on February 27th. It was discovered that the boy was in the trunk to secure a bassinet, acting as a makeshift human ratchet strap.
The mother was arrested for reckless conduct and a seat belt violation. She was booked into Gwinnett County Jail, and the child was placed in the custody of a family member. The severity of the reckless conduct charge could result in a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine, while the seat belt violation may carry a sentence of up to 20 years.
Legal Ramifications
Reckless conduct is a serious offense that can lead to significant penalties, including jail time and fines. According to JDMLawFirm, this charge can be applied in various situations, such as driving while intoxicated, speeding, or endangering others with a firearm.