According to a recent report released on the KABC in Los Angeles website on Saturday, September 18, 2021, a woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI on Thursday after she allegedly dragged her 8-year-old daughter and another adult bystander.
In a statement, the Placentia Police Department has identified the woman as 44-year-old Erin Garcia of Laguna Niguel. Officers responding to the scene arrested Garcia on charges of suspicion of DUI, assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment, the battery of a peace officer, and resisting arrest.
Police arrest documents indicate that officers responded to a call in the 400 block of Orchid Drive on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at approximately 11:30 p.m. Officers found the 8-year-old girl had suffered abrasions to her legs and feet.
During an argument between Garcia and her mother, she went to leave the home and get into her vehicle. The child, who was concerned about her mother drinking while intoxicated, grabbed the passenger door handle of the car and pleaded with her mother to stop.
Garcia instead looked at the girl and proceeded to drive away from the scene, dragging the girl alongside the vehicles for approximately 300 feet before coming to a stop.
A Good Samaritan, an area resident, joined the grandmother in attempting to get Garcia to stop and get out of the car. Instead, Garcia kept driving and dragged the man for a short distance before he let go.
Police later located Garcia a short distance away, hiding in some bushes. She was apprehended, and after a brief struggle with police officers, she was placed under arrest.
Both the little girl and the man were taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Both are expected to be OK.
The incident is still currently under investigation.
