Holly MatkinPlacentia, CA – An intoxicated California woman dragged her eight-year-old daughter with a car after the little girl tried to stop her from driving last week, according to police.
The incident occurred in the 400-block of Orchid Drive at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 16, the Placentia Police Department (PPD) said in a press release the following day.
Erin Garcia, 44, and her eight-year-old daughter were visiting Garcia’s mother’s home when Garcia decided to leave, according to police.
“Garcia’s 8-year-old child was concerned about her driving due to her intoxication level and followed Garcia out to the vehicle,” the PPD said. “The child grabbed the passenger’s door handle and told Garcia to stop.”
The child said her mother looked at her, then drove off, dragging her daughter alongside her car.
Garcia allegedly dragged the little girl for about 300 feet before a male bystander realized what was happening and ran to the little girl’s rescue, according to police.
He and Garcia’s mother tried to get Garcia out of the car, but she stomped on the accelerator again, this time dragging the bystander “for a short distance,” the PPD said.
The intoxicated woman then sped off, leaving her daughter and mother behind.
Police responded to the scene to find the eight-year-old suffering from abrasions to her feet and legs, according to the press release.
She and the male bystander were both transported to local hospitals with moderate injuries.
Officers located Garcia hiding in the bushes in her mother’s yard shortly thereafter.
When police tried to take her into custody, she went on the fight and started kicking at them, the PPD said.
She was ultimately arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on charges of child endangerment, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting a peace officer, and battery against a peace officer.
Garcia is being held on $10,000 bail, KCBS reported.
Her initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
