ONEONTA – State police here arrested a Cooperstown area father and daughter for DWI under Leandra’s Law and for Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
At 10: 26 p.m. July 17, Troopers arrested Maegan J. Thaxton, 31, of Cooperstown, for the felony of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with child 15 or Under as Passenger (Leandra’s Law). She was also charged with the misdemeanor of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and issued tickets for Inadequate Lights, No Restraint or Lap Harness and Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test.
According to a state police press release, Thaxton was driving with a headlight out and not wearing her seatbelt properly as she passed under a street lamp on Chestnut Street, Town of Oneonta; pulling her over, the trooper saw an 11-mont- old in the rear passenger seat.
Thaxton appeared intoxicated, failed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, she was arrested, troopers said. She also refused to submit to a breath and chemical test, the release said.
Troopers made arrangements to have another party pick-up the child.
Then Meagan’s father, Earl Thaxton, 71, of Middlefield, appeared at the Oneonta barracks with the 11-month-old in his vehicle; he also appeared intoxicated, the release said, and was arrested at 11:35 p.m. and charged with the felony under Leandra’s Law, and a misdemeanor of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. E. Thaxton’s reportable B.A.C was .09 percent, troopers said.
The child was turned over to the care of Child Protective Services.
Daughter and father were arraigned in Oneonta Town Court and released on their own recognizance. Both are due back in court Aug. 15.