Suffolk Man Drives While High, Found With Screaming Infant In Car: Cops

BELLPORT, NY — A Mastic man was charged under Leandra’s Law with driving while under the influence of drugs with his 1-year-old child in his vehicle in Bellport on Wednesday night, police said.

“A 911 caller reported an unresponsive man in the driver’s seat of a parked 2008 Toyota Sienna, which was idling in the middle of the roadway, with a screaming infant in the vehicle at 7:33 p.m.” police said in a news release.

“Upon arrival of emergency medical services personnel, Harry Penny was found to be unconscious in the driver’s seat of the vehicle with his one-year-old son in the backseat.”

Officers determined Penny had been driving the vehicle under the influence of drugs, and he was arrested, police said. He was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue where he was treated and released.

The child was released to a family member at the hospital, police said.

Penny, 25, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger 15 years old or younger, driving while ability impaired by drugs, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to police.

Penny was held overnight and was scheduled to appear in Central Islip district court Thursday, police said.