Sunshine Coast RCMP placed a four-year-old child in the custody of the Ministry of Children and Families last week after a Garden Bay man was pulled over for allegedly drinking and driving with the child in the vehicle.
According to RCMP, on Jan. 21 at approximately 6:30 p.m., two independent witnesses called 9-1-1 to report a suspected impaired driver, driving northbound on Highway in Roberts Creek towards Sechelt.
"With the information received, Sunshine Coast RCMP intercepted and stopped the suspect vehicle near Snodgrass Road in Sechelt after observing the vehicle driving under the speed limit and it crossing over the centre line," said Cpl. Murray McNeil. "RCMP approached the driver who displayed obvious symptoms of intoxication and promptly detained him for impaired driving. The breath demand was given to the driver, who refused to provide a sample of his breath.
"Upon closer inspection of the vehicle it was discovered that the driver's four-year-old daughter was inside the vehicle, as well as both open and closed cans of beer, of which was located under his daughters feet."
McNeil said the Ministry of Children and Families was called to attend the scene as it was felt by police that the actions of the accused posed as an immediate and imminent threat to his daughter.
"It is my feeling that had we not stopped this vehicle, the consequences could have been deadly," added McNeil. "I was disgusted by this man's behaviour and for exposing his four-year-old girl to this."
McNeil said MCF determined that the driver was too intoxicated to care for his child, who was subsequently taken to a family friends residence for the evening.
The driver, a 44-year-old Garden Bay resident, is facing charges of impaired driving and refusing to provide a breath sample, as well, received a 90-day administrative driving prohibition and a 24-hour roadside prohibition.
He was released on a promise to appear in Sechelt provincial court on Feb. 29.
