STOCKTON, Calif. — On Saturday, the Stockton California Highway Patrol arrested two impaired drivers who had unrestrained child passengers, according to the area office.
Officers pulled over Shakil Ross, 25, of Stockton, for not stopping at a stop sign near Bianchi Road, east of Pacific Avenue, according to Officer Charlie Katzakian. He said two children, improperly secured in car seats, were in the backseat of Ross's car. The children were described as 2 years old and younger.
Ross was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and child endangerment, Katzakian said. The children were released to family members.
Later that day, Katzakian said officers came in contact with Justin Costello, 19, and Samantha Lee, 25, near Bianchi Road at West Lane. Officers found a 9-month-old baby, who was not properly restrained in its car seat, in the back seat of the car Costello was driving, Katzakian said.
Costello was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana and child endangerment. Lee was arrested for an outstanding warrant for petty theft, according to jail records.
After officers established that Costello was the 9-month-old baby's relative, they tried contacting the child's parents. Katzakian said they initially couldn't locate the child's parents and called Child Protective Services. He said the baby was reunited with its parents after they had called the police looking for their child.
Child Protective Services is investigating, according to Katzakian.
Ross, Costello and Lee were all booked into San Joaquin County Jail.