Suspected DUI Driver, Parolee Accused Of Child Cruelty: Sheriff

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Hayward parolee and his girlfriend, a Santa Rosa resident, were arrested on suspicion of child cruelty and other charges as a result of a traffic stop Friday night in southwest Santa Rosa, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.

About 10:30 p.m., a deputy saw a car stopped in the middle of the intersection at Todd Road and South Moorland Avenue.

"The driver abruptly turned onto South Moorland, drove through three lanes, ran a red light, and headed towards the freeway," said Misti Wood, spokeswoman for the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. "The deputy suspected the driver might be under the influence and pulled the car over."

Wood said the deputy walked up to the car and saw four people: the driver, later identified as Joelle Laguillo-Bernheimer, 30, Santa Rosa; the passenger, later identified as Bobby Jackson, 29, Hayward; and two young children in the back seat.

"Laguillo-Bernheimer and Jackson seemed to be intoxicated," Wood said. "The deputy noticed a handgun in Jackson’s lap, between his legs and partially covered by his hand. He drew his service weapon and ordered Jackson to put his hands up multiple times, while Jackson refused and continued to keep his hands just above his lap."

When Jackson became distracted for a moment, the deputy reached into the car and grabbed the gun away from him. Later, deputies discovered the .22 -caliber pistol was loaded with one round in the chamber, Wood said.

As more deputies and California Highway Patrol officers arrived to help, Laguillo-Bernheimer reportedly got out of the car and became verbally confrontational with peace officers.

Jackson and Laguillo-Bernheimer were detained as deputies got the children safely out of the car.

A bottle of alcohol was found in the car, and the car seat was not properly secured, the sheriff's office said.

The 9-year-old boy was returned to a relative, while the 3-year-old girl was taken to temporary safe housing.

CHP arrested Laguillo-Bernheimer on suspicion of driving under the influence and other charges, and took her to Sonoma County jail.

Jackson was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of violating his parole, child cruelty, felon in possession of a gun, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Jackson was being held in lieu of $200,000 bail after a judge granted a bail enhancement.

Laguillo-Bernheimer was booked into jail on suspicion of felony child cruelty, felony threats and two misdemeanor DUI charges. She was released on $30,000 bail, Wood said.