The call came out as a felony hit and run involving a pedestrian with witnesses following the suspect. Dispatch updated the suspect’s location as it continued westbound on a major highway.
A few minutes later we caught up to the suspect and stopped the vehicle in a parking lot. After the interviews, we learned that the victim was transported to the hospital because her foot was run over. The suspect was arrested for felony hit and run and placed in the back of a police car. She also was driving on a suspended license.
This wasn’t the typical hit and run story though. This one had a bit of a twist to it.
What made this one a little different were the passengers in the suspect vehicle. They weren’t a bunch of hoodlums or gang members. They were the driver’s 6 and 3 year old daughters.
After mom was arrested, I walked up to the vehicle so I could get her purse and cell phone for her. There was an officer standing at the car wth the children. The 6 year old seemed to be having a good time taking with the officer.
I looked at her and asked, “Where’s mummy’s purse and cell phone?”
“Right there, ” she said as she pointed to the front seat.
“Thanks,” I replied.
I was about to walk away when she asked, “Where’s my mommy?”
I was kind of hoping to avoid that one. What do you tell a 6 year old? You can’t just say, “Mommy went to jail because she ran over a woman.”
Instead, I went with, “Mommy is talking to a police officer.”
“OK.”
“Your daddy is coming,” I said.
“My daddy is coming?”
“He’ll be here soon.”
“OK.”
I took the purse and phone to the patrol car and gave them to the officer. He then drove her to jail.
A few minutes later I walked by the vehicle and the little girl asked, “Where’s my mommy?”
“She’s talking with the officer at the police station,” I replied.
“Ok. Do you have kids?’ she asked. It was the cutest thing.
“I do. Do you want to see a picture of them?”
“Yeah,” she said with a smile.
I took my phone out and showed her a picture of my kids. The little girl looked at my daughter and said, “She’s pretty!”
You can’t beat a child’s innocence.
Badge415 
It is a good way to make a connection with a child, showing them that you are a parent. That you have children their age. The child will be more comfortable with you after that as well knowing you understand the needs of a child.
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That had to be hard- you must do the right thing by taking mom but at the same time you have these 2 little ones that didn’t ask for a dumb parent. Hope this was a wake call for mom. Was this DWI by an chance? Thanks for do the best you can for the children.
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Thanks. Actually, no. She wasn’t DUI.
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Such a bitter sweet post!
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Thank you. I appreciate it.
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It’s the officers like yourself, that make me proud to serve with them!
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