Woman charged with child endangerment after allegedly falling asleep behind the wheel in Warren

WARREN, R.I. (WLNE) — A woman was arrested for child endangerment after allegedly falling asleep under the influence at the wheel of a car in a drive-thru with children in the backseat in Warren.

On Aug. 14, the Warren Police said they responded to a drive-thru on Metacom Avenue at 6:30 a.m. where they found a woman asleep behind the wheel of a car.

Police said they observed 37-year-old Kelly Serpa slumped over with an unlit cigarette in her mouth and a cell phone in her hand while the vehicle was still in drive.

In the car with Serpa was an infant and a 7-year-old child in the rear seat.

Police said Serpa was lethargic, dropped/threw her phone mistakenly and spoke in slurred speech.

Serpa was requested to do a field sobriety test, which she continued to show signs of impairment according to police.

Serpa was taken into custody and charged with Child Endangerment and Driving under the Influence with a Child Under 13, as well as refusing to submit chemical test.

Police said Serpa was taken to 2nd District Court in Newport where she was arraigned and released on $5,000 personal recognizance.