9-Day-Old Newborn Unrestrained in Car While Father Drives Drunk: Police Say

Clinton Police conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Route 81 that began the evening of Sept. 19 and extended into the early morning hours of Sept. 20. At approximately 1:37 a.m., a car was observed approaching the area of the checkpoint.

“This vehicle came to a sudden stop, forcing the vehicle behind it to also stop quickly,” according to Clinton Sgt. Jeremiah Dunn. “However the first vehicle started to back up, and in doing so struck the second vehicle in the bumper.”

The first car took a U-turn and reportedly fled the area, police said. Officers followed the car and successfully stopped it a short distance away.

“Officers determined that the operator of this vehicle was [allegedly] intoxicated,” Dunn said. “Also located inside the vehicle at the time of this incident was an unrestrained 9-day-old infant child, and a female passenger who was found to be in possession small amount of marijuana and an illegal weapon, commonly referred to as a stun gun.”

Police arrested driver Amado Dilone, 25, of 29 Kelseytown Rd., Killingworth. Dilone is the father of the infant. The mother of the infant was also in the car but was not charged, Dunn said.

Dilone was charged with the following:

• Operating under the Influence
• Operating with a Suspended License
• Evading Responsibilities
• Unsafe Backing
• Transporting a Child Under the Age of 4 Without a Proper Restraint System
• Risk of Injury to a Minor

Dilone is currently being held on $5,000 bond.

A female passenger was identified as Sage Grady, 18, of 102 Court St., West Haven.

Grady was charged with:

• Possessing a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (less than 4 ounces)

Grady was processed and released on a written promise to appear at GA 9 Middletown on Oct. 2.

Additional Checkpoint Results

Approximately 400 vehicles travelled through the checkpoint. Three arrests were made for DUI, four individuals were cited for operating without a license, and another individual was cited for operating an unregistered motor vehicle, Dunn said.

Also arrested earlier in the evening for unrelated DUI charges were:

Jonathan Gavern, 35, of 13 Hillston Rd., Trumbull. Gavern was released after posting a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear at GA 9 Middletown, on Oct. 1.

Jeffrey Welsh, 52, of 60 Commerce St., Clinton. Welsh was released after posting a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear at GA 9 Middletown, on Oct. 2.

The checkpoint was funded on a grant secured by the local non-profit Partners in the Community. PIC grants help fund sobriety checkpoints in Clinton several times a year.

Photos, left to right: Amado Dilone and Sage Grady; Credit: Clinton Police Department