Mom Charged with Abuse for Allegedly Running Over Son in Grocery Store Parking Lot

GLENDALE, CA - A 46-year-old woman is in custody in Lynwood in lieu of $200,000 bail today on suspicion of driving over her 7-year-old son’s thigh in a Ralphs supermarket parking lot in Glendale while under the influence of alcohol.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday, Sharla Joseph was leaving the Glendale grocery store, located at 1200 N. Central Ave., when she got into an argument with her two boys for misbehaving, Glendale police Sgt. Robert William told the Glendale News Press. She reportedly got into the car, alone, after threatening to leave them behind.

The boys clung to the door handles as Joseph started the car, according to the newspaper. When she moved the car, the 7-year-old reportedly fell to the ground, after which the car tire rolled over his thigh.

The boy was bruised but mostly uninjured, William said. Police went to the scene and smelled alcohol on Joseph’s breath. She subsequently performed "poorly” on a field sobriety test and refused a chemical test, he said.

Joseph was charged Tuesday with two counts of child abuse and one count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury. She's due in court in Burbank on Sept. 28.

City News Service