A terrifying moment at a busy Florida intersection has led to criminal charges for a mother whose young daughter was left dangerously exposed to traffic. Isabella Fernanda Saenz, 26, was arrested for driving under the influence and child neglect in Pembroke Pines after a police officer witnessed her 5-year-old daughter’s upper body hanging out of an open window while the vehicle moved through an intersection.
Background
The incident unfolded on a Sunday night at the intersection of N. Flamingo Road and Sheridan Street, a high-traffic corridor in Pembroke Pines. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, an officer with the Pembroke Pines Police Department initially observed the child hanging out of the rear passenger window while the car was stopped at a red light. The situation escalated when the traffic signal changed to green; instead of pulling the child back inside, the vehicle began to move, leaving the 5-year-old exposed to oncoming traffic and the elements.
Cops reported that Saenz moved from a right-hand turn lane into the eastbound lane, crossing over a solid white line during the maneuver. This erratic driving pattern prompted the officer to initiate a traffic stop. The affidavit notes that the driver failed to notice her daughter’s precarious position, a lapse in attention that officers stated could have resulted in "serious physical injury or substantial risk of death to the child."
The Charges
During the traffic stop, Saenz allegedly told officers she did not realize her daughter was unbelted and hanging out of the window. She stated she was driving home from a child’s birthday party. Saenz admitted to smoking marijuana and consuming one margarita, according to police reports. Officers noted that her breath smelled of alcohol and her eyes were glassy.
Saenz was subjected to a series of field sobriety tests, during which she reportedly appeared wobbly on her feet and failed to follow instructions. Breath testing yielded blood-alcohol content results of 0.123 and 0.124, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 0.08 in Florida. Consequently, Saenz was charged with DUI and child neglect. She was taken to the Broward County Jail, where she has since posted an $8,000 bond.
Key Takeaways
- Isabella Fernanda Saenz, 26, was arrested in Pembroke Pines, Fla., on charges of DUI and child neglect.
- Officers observed Saenz’s 5-year-old daughter hanging out of the rear passenger window while the car was in motion.
- Saenz’s breath alcohol tests showed levels of 0.123 and 0.124, well above the 0.08 legal limit.
- The driver admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking one margarita before the incident.
- Saenz posted an $8,000 bond and was released from Broward County Jail.
What's Next
Saenz has been released on bond, but the legal proceedings are just beginning. Her next court date was not immediately listed by authorities. The case will proceed through the Florida judicial system, where the charges of DUI and child neglect will be adjudicated. Investigators continue to review the traffic stop details, including the field sobriety test results and the driver's statements regarding her impairment levels at the time of the arrest.