Erin Garcia: Drunk California mom drags daughter, 8, behind car for 300ft, kicks cops
PLACENTIA, CALIFORNIA: A Laguna Niguel woman, 44, was reportedly arrested in Placentia after she dragged her daughter alongside her SUV and later kicked an officer in a residential neighborhood on Thursday night, September 16.
As per Lieutenant Chris Anderson of the Placentia Police Department, on September 16 at approximately 11.37 pm, Placentia Officers responded to the 400 Block of Orchid Drive for an assault investigation. Officers arrived and located an eight-year-old girl, suffering abrasions to her legs and feet. The child was accompanied by her grandmother.
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It was discovered that the child's mother, Erin Michelle Garcia, was intoxicated as she decided to leave her mother's residence on the 400 Block of Orchid Drive. Garcia's daughter was concerned about her driving in that state and followed Garcia out to her vehicle, a Honda CR-V. The child grabbed the passenger's door handle and told Garcia to stop.
The 44-year-old, as per the police, looked at the child and proceeded to drive away “dragging her child alongside the vehicle for approximately 300 feet.” A male adult bystander reportedly observed what was occurring and intervened. Garcia stopped as the bystander and the grandmother attempted to get Garcia out of the vehicle. Garcia then proceeded to drive away and the bystander was dragged by Garcia's vehicle for a short distance.
Garcia then reportedly drove away from the scene. A short time later, officers responded to the grandmother's residence on the 400 Block of Orchid and located Garcia hiding behind some bushes in the backyard. Officers, Placentia PD said, attempted to take Garcia into custody and Garcia resisted and kicked at officers. In a video posted by ABC7, where Garcia is seen being arrested, one officer can be heard saying: "Ma'am, I can't feel my thumb." The child and bystander were both transported to local hospitals with moderate injuries.
Garcia was later transported to Orange County Jail. She has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment, and battery against a peace officer. She is reportedly being held on $100,000 bail, according to inmate records. She is scheduled to appear in court Monday, September 20.
Battery against a peace officer is a misdemeanor in California. However, one could be charged with a felony as well. If convicted of misdemeanor battery against a peace officer, one faces up to 364 days in county jail, a $2,000 fine, or both. Felony battery against an officer carries a sentence of up to 16 months or two or three years in county jail, a $10,000 fine, or both.
As per California law, any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a deadly weapon or instrument other than a firearm shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both. Penalties for misdemeanor child endangerment can include up to one year in county jail, and/or a fine of up to $1,000. If charged as a felony, however, the punishment can result in two, four, or six years in California state prison, and/or a fine of up to $10,000.