St. Louis Woman Charged After 8-Year-Old Drives with Toddler: Child Endangerment Case

St. Louis woman Child Endangerment Latonya Mayes-Gale 8-year-old

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Apr 17, 10:14 am

Photo: (Photo : Michael B. Thomas /Getty Images)

A St. Louis woman, Latonya Mayes-Gale, 28, is now facing legal charges of child endangerment as the 8-year-old drove their vehicle after she was allegedly suspected of being drunk.

Mayes-Gale faces charges of felony child endangerment for allegedly making her 8-year-old son drive a vehicle while she was passed out in the backseat with her other 3-year-old toddler unsecured.

The incident, which occurred in downtown St. Louis, has raised concerns about the safety of the children involved.

Instructing a Child to Drive: Serious Charges Filed

According to official court documents, authorities revealed that a mother from Missouri, reportedly intoxicated to the point of incapacity, instructed her 8-year-old son to drive, transporting both her and her 3-year-old child.

This incident led to her subsequent arrest on two counts of felony first-degree endangerment of a child, as disclosed by records from the St. Louis City Justice Center.

Following her detainment, she was released on Tuesday under sponsored recognizance, aimed at providing assistance during the ongoing legal proceedings, as detailed in Missouri's legal documentation.

The series of events unfolded when officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received a call from a vigilant security guard who had observed the 8-year-old boy operating a vehicle against the flow of traffic, approximately at 4 a.m. on Monday.

Documents from authorities states, "defendant couldn't drive the motor vehicle and instructed [the 8-year-old] to drive the motor vehicle for her."

The affidavit added, "defendant was in the rear of the motor vehicle unconscious and Victim# 2, who is three years of age, was unsecured in the backseat."

Subsequent investigations revealed that the child's mother was incapacitated in the back seat, leading to the boy taking control of the car.

Further details emerged from a probable cause statement obtained by authorities, indicating that not only was the toddler unrestrained and not in a car seat, but also that the mother was inebriated and fatigued, contributing to her decision to delegate driving responsibilities to her young son.

Following the incident, law enforcement officials took the mother to a nearby medical facility for assessment before determining the next steps regarding her legal status, as reported by a local St. Louis television station.

Charges Unveiled After Disturbing Driving Scene Shocks Community

Court records from Missouri indicate that a detention hearing is set for May 16 concerning the woman involved in the incident.

The fate of her children remains uncertain, prompting authorities to withhold their identities to safeguard their privacy.

During the bond hearing, the woman's legal representative, Steven Kratky, highlighted her responsibilities as a caregiver for her two children, her role as a home health aide, and her commitment to caring for an elderly, homebound relative.

These aspects were underscored in court as mitigating factors regarding the charges brought against her.

The complaint against Mayes-Gale emphasizes the endangerment posed to her 8-year-old son by directing him to drive and to her 3-year-old by allowing the child to ride in a vehicle operated by the 8-year-old.

Each count outlined in the complaint carries a potential minimum sentence of one year in prison if proven in court.

Following legal proceedings, a judge granted Mayes-Gale release pending trial on Tuesday, with a bond hearing scheduled for April 23, according to official court documentation.