PARADISE, Calif. - A Paradise resident was arrested for two offenses on Monday evening in Paradise, Paradise Police Department said.
Sarah Quinton, 34, was found by a citizen in her vehicle passed out in the Paradise Plaza parking lot.
When officers arrived, Quinton appeared to be heavily intoxicated and struggled to stay conscious when officers contacted and identified her.
The vehicle she was in had fresh damage that appeared to be in a minor accident prior to arriving at the parking lot. The engine was running but the damage from the accident prevented the vehicle from operating fully, police said.
Officers found Quinton’s two children in the car who are ages three and seven. Police said the children were inappropriately secured in the vehicle’s safety seats.
Quinton was over three times the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration to drive a vehicle in California.
The officer’s investigation determined Quinton had driven her vehicle while heavily intoxicated and being in an accident while her children were inappropriately secured in the vehicle safety seats.
Paradise Police said Quinton was arrested for Felony Child Endangerment and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. She was transported and booked into Butte County Jail.
Her children were placed into protective custody and released into the care of Children’s Services, police said.