- A traffic stop early Tuesday led to the arrest of both parents after two toddlers were found inside the vehicle.
- The father allegedly had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit with a 2 and 3-year-old in the car.
- The mother faces her second child endangerment charge in just three months.
- Both parents now face serious criminal charges as the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office issues a stern public warning.
EL PASO, Texas — A late-night traffic stop turned into a child endangerment investigation after deputies found two toddlers riding in a vehicle with a driver who was allegedly heavily intoxicated, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office reported.
It happened just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, when deputies pulled over a vehicle after observing the driver fail to signal before a left turn and struggle to stay in a single lane.
Father Allegedly Had Triple the Legal Limit
When deputies approached the vehicle, they identified the driver as Ricardo Rivera, 25, and quickly noticed signs of intoxication.
After conducting field sobriety tests, Rivera was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated.
A breath sample told a startling story. Rivera registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.204 — nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08, according to EPCSO.
Rivera was charged with DWI with a child under 15 years of age and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $2,000 bond.
Two Toddlers Were in the Car
Deputies discovered two children inside the vehicle — a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old.
The children’s mother, Cynthia Garcia, 29, was not present at the scene. However, the investigation determined that Garcia had allegedly placed the children in imminent danger by allowing them to be in the vehicle.
Deputies obtained two arrest warrants for Garcia — one for each child — on charges of abandoning or endangering a child. Both warrants were issued with no bond.
Garcia was later taken into custody.
Mother Facing Second Charge in Three Months
What makes this case even more alarming is that this is not Garcia’s first brush with these charges.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, this marks her second charge for abandoning or endangering a child within the past three months.
Sheriff’s Office Issues Warning to the Public
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office used the arrest to send a direct message to the community.
“Driving while intoxicated places everyone on the road in danger, especially children who depend on adults to keep them safe,” EPCSO said.
Drunk driving with children in the vehicle carries severe legal consequences in Texas — and as this case shows, both the driver and anyone who knowingly allowed the situation can face criminal charges.
Rivera remains in custody at the El Paso County Detention Facility. Garcia is also in custody with no bond.
What do you think the consequences should be for parents who put their children in this kind of danger? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
