Mother found slumped over, child found with liquor bottle in mouth

CABELL COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A mother is facing charges after she was found slumped over at a gas station and a child had a bottle of Fireball liquor in his mouth.

On July 4, 2024, two employees at the Marathon gas station located at 3096 16th Street Road in Huntington, Cabell County, WV, observed a suspect driving a silver Ford Fusion in the parking lot.

The witnesses noted that the suspect appeared to be slumped over the wheel. When a worker approached the suspect, Calla Dotson, she quickly drove away and ended up crashing into a pole near the gas pumps. A second witness reported two small children in the car with the suspect, and he saw one of the children with a bottle of Fireball liquor in his mouth. A witness took the keys out of the vehicle to prevent the suspect from fleeing.

Upon the deputy’s arrival, the suspect and children were still in the car in the parking lot. The suspect underwent a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) and did not pass.

Additionally, a Preliminary Breath Test showed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .284. The suspect was taken to the WV State Police barracks for a secondary breath test, but she refused to blow into the device, letting the time expire.

The suspect became aggressive, kicking the officer, yelling, cursing, and making threats. At the barracks, she tried multiple times to damage the Intoximeter.

During transportation to the Western Regional Jail, the suspect continued to be combative, kicking the cage and windows of the cruiser. Once at the jail, she had to be restrained again by the deputy, along with Officers Meadows and Brent from the Barboursville Police Department.

Dotson was charged with DUI with a minor in the vehicle, battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and child abuse.