St. Louis Mother Charged For Reckless Endangerment, Forcing Her 8-Year-Old Son to Drive While Unconscious

In downtown St. Louis, Latonya Mayes-Gale, a 28-year-old mother, has been charged with two counts of felony child endangerment. This legal action came after an alarming discovery by police: Mayes-Gale’s 8-year-old son was found driving a vehicle with his younger sibling unsecured in the backseat, while she was unconscious. The case raises critical questions about child safety and the responsibilities of parents in safeguarding their children.

The arrest was made after a police officer noticed a vehicle heading the wrong way on a one-way street early in the morning. Inside the vehicle, the officer found Mayes-Gale in the backseat, completely unresponsive, with her children in dangerously inappropriate roles given their ages. This incident not only endangered the children but also posed a serious risk to public safety.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Following the incident, St. Louis prosecutors swiftly filed charges against Mayes-Gale, underlining the severity of the negligence involved. One charge relates specifically to the 8-year-old being put in control of the vehicle, and the other concerns the 3-year-old who was left unsecured in a moving vehicle. These charges reflect the legal system’s firm stance on protecting children from such perilous situations.

According to the police affidavit, Mayes-Gale had instructed her son to drive because she was unable to do so herself. The situation was fortunately resolved without physical injury, but the psychological and legal repercussions are significant. Each count of child endangerment carries a potential minimum sentence of one year in prison, emphasizing the potential consequences of such actions.

Background and Defense Strategy

The defense for Mayes-Gale paints a picture of a woman overwhelmed by her responsibilities. Her attorney, Steven Kratky, has highlighted her roles as a home health aide and caregiver to an elderly grandparent, alongside her duties as a single mother. These factors were presented in court to provide a fuller picture of Mayes-Gale’s life circumstances, which may have contributed to her lapse in judgment at the time of the incident.

Despite the serious nature of the charges, Mayes-Gale was released pending trial, with a bond hearing set for April 23. This decision allows her to continue her caregiving responsibilities under court supervision while awaiting trial. The court’s decision to grant bail reflects a consideration of her personal circumstances and her roles within the community, even as it seeks to balance these factors against the need to uphold child safety laws.