ANDOVER, MASS. (WHDH) - A woman was arrested by Andover Police for allegedly driving her child to school while under the influence of drugs on Monday.
Mary Ellen Shay, 41, was charged with OUI drugs, wanton/reckless behavior to a child and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
“Being a mom, it’s especially heinous because that’s your child. That’s your child!” said concerned parent Joyce Jellison.
Police said Shay left her car door open with the ignition running as she brought her daughter to Bancroft Elementary School. The school’s policy requires parents to sign a log book to drop their children off and school employees said Shay spent four minutes trying to sign the book while mumbling incoherently.
When police arrived, they said Shay took three field sobriety tests in the parking lot and lost her balance. She then allegedly admitted to police that she had taken a muscle relaxer and anti-depressants.
According to court paperwork, Shay told police she had been going through rough times after her husband filed for divorce and moved to Connecticut, leaving her and their daughter alone. Shay also allegedly stated that they were about to lose their house.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)