BUCKHANNON – Two Upshur County residents were arrested for gross child neglect after allegedly driving with an infant in the vehicle while one of the adults was under the influence.
Garrett Bohnsack, 22, of Buckhannon, was arrested for gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury, a felony; driving under the influence of marijuana with a minor, a misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
Irelynn Keigley, 20, of Buckhannon, was arrested for gross neglect of a child creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury, a felony; permitting driving under the influence, a misdemeanor; and possession of THC wax, a misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by Sgt. Marshall O’Connor with the Buckhannon Police Department, on Thursday, Aug. 3, O’Connor initiated a traffic stop on a white Subaru Impreza on Barbour Street for a registration violation.
While speaking with the driver of the vehicle, identified as Bohnsack, O’Connor could smell the strong odor of “raw marijuana” emanating from within the vehicle, the police report says. O’Connor asked Bohnsack about the marijuana, and Bohnsack allegedly stated that he had smoked some approximately four or five hours prior while in Clarksburg.
Police administered two sobriety tests to Bohnsack, and he allegedly showed some signs of impairment, the complaint states.
According to the report, Keigley allegedly admitted she knew Bohnsack smoked “a bowl or two” while in Clarksburg and still allowed him to operate the motor vehicle while impaired by a controlled substance with an almost nine-month-old infant in the vehicle.
In addition, law enforcement officers seized approximately 28 grams of marijuana and about 17 grams of THC wax, the file states.
Upshur County Magistrate Alan Suder set bail at $75,000 cash only for Bohnsack and $75,000 cash only for Keigley.
The penalty for a conviction of gross child neglect is a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $3,000, confinement in the state penitentiary for not less than one nor more than five years, or both. In addition, the possible penalty for driving under the influence of marijuana with a minor imprisonment in jail for not less than two days, not more than 12 months and a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000.
