An Elyria woman was arrested for operating a vehicle while under the influence and endangering children on Monday after police say she crashed her car into a tree and then started breastfeeding her baby while clearly intoxicated.
Officers arrived at the area of Middle Avenue and 9th Street for reports of a vehicle crashed into a tree around 1:30 a.m. on Monday.
The driver, Chamiyai Wheeler, was registered as the owner of the vehicle. Witnesses near the scene said Wheeler was the one driving at the time of the crash.
Officers detected the odor of alcohol on her breath and asked if she had been drinking.
She admitted to officers she was drinking and said she had two shots of Crown Royal Apple, according to the police report.
While officers were speaking to Wheeler, she was breastfeeding her 3-week-old infant son. She continued to slur her words while talking to the officers.
Chamiyai agreed to perform three types field sobriety tests, which she failed, police said.
Her infant son was taken to University Hospitals for evaluation. Wheelers mother told the hospital that she would take custody of her daughter's son.
Sgt. Ross said the baby had lost some weight since he was born. The hospital staff was concerned for the boy's welfare so they transported him to Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospitals.
Wheeler was arrested for suspicion of OVI. She was taken to the Elyria Police Department where she agreed to take a breathalyzer. She blew a 0.250, police said.
She was taken to the North Ridgeville Police Department where she agreed to submit another breathalyzer which resulted in a reading of 0.231.
Wheeler was cited for operating a vehicle under the influence, driving under suspension and reasonable control, and also was charged with endangering children.
She was taken to Lorain County Jail where she will remain until her next court date on Aug. 7 at 9 a.m.
