OC Mother Accused Of Driving Drunk, Dragging Child With Car

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — A woman who was arrested in connection with driving under the influence as her 8-year-old daughter was dragged outside her vehicle, was scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Laguna Niguel resident Erin Garcia, 44, was arrested early Friday but was later released in the afternoon from Orange County Jail, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

On Thursday just after 11:30 p.m., officers were called to the 400 block of Orchid Drive, where they found an 8-year-old girl suffering from injuries to her legs and feet, according to the Placentia Police Department. She was with her grandmother.

Garcia was reportedly intoxicated as she attempted to drive away from her mother's home, police said. Officials said Garcia's daughter was worried about her and plead with her not to drive drunk. The child, who was not named, reportedly clung onto the passenger's door handle and told her mother to stop, but her mother looked at the her daughter and proceeded to drive away, dragging her for 300 feet.

A bystander witnessed the incident and worked with Garcia's mother to stop her and try to get her out of the vehicle. Garcia drove on, dragging the bystander for a short distance before fleeing the scene, officials said.

Police later found Garcia hiding in the bushes at her mother's home on Orchid Drive and took her into custody. She was taken to the Orange County Jail on the following charges: Assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment and battery against a police officer.

Garcia was due in court on Monday.