Child Abuse Investigation Launched after Vehicle Stopped for Suspected DUII
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is investigating alleged child abuse after the Oregon State Police pulled over a vehicle for suspected impaired driving on Interstate 5 near Hugo last weekend.
OSP reports troopers responded to state property above the I-5 Milepost 66 Interchange for a possible impaired driver on Sunday afternoon.
Troopers said a man called 9-1-1 to report that his wife was impaired and they were involved in a verbal argument while traveling to Wildlife Safari in Winston. The husband and three juveniles were contacted at their vehicle while the wife reportedly fled the area on foot. She was later contacted at a residence in the 300-block of Thornbrook Drive in Merlin and a DUII investigation was conducted.
According to OSP, troopers were unable to develop probable cause to arrest the woman, but major concerns for child neglect were observed while investigating.
The Sheriff's Office is now the primary agency in the child abuse investigation and a report will be filed with the Oregon Department of Human Services.
Posted on 5/8/24 6:29AM by Sam Marsh
