In a troubling incident, a Hesperia man was arrested on suspicion of DUI while his young children were in the car, authorities said. The suspect, identified as Stephen Barrientos, 23, was observed driving erratically on Bear Valley Road in Apple Valley this past Monday, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.
The vehicle caught the attention of Sergeant S. Nobles after swerving between lanes and cruising on the dirt shoulder. After performing a traffic stop at approximately 9:49 p.m., Barrientos was found to be under the influence of alcohol with his 3-year-old and 5-year-old children unsecured in the back seat, as per the SBSD - Victor Valley Sheriff's Department.
Revelations from the sheriff's department indicated that the children were not in child safety seats or even wearing seat belts at the time of the arrest. Further investigation led to charges including DUI and child abuse with the possibility of great bodily injury, given the absence of basic safety measures for the young passengers.
Currently held at the High Desert Detention Center, Barrientos's bail has been set at $70,000.00, according to the SBSD - Victor Valley Sheriff's Department. After his arrest, with the DUI suspect was taken into custody, the children were handed over to a relative. The department is urging anyone with information to reach out to Deputy A. Schwingel at Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station or to contact We-Tip anonymously.
