A Commerce City police officer pulled over a driver on Highway 2 after spotting two small children riding loose in the backseat, then refused to let the car move an inch until proper child seats arrived. The driver ultimately walked away with citations for child abuse, speeding, reckless driving and failing to properly restrain child passengers.
The Commerce City Police Department posted video of the traffic stop on Facebook that shows Officer Castellanos pulling the vehicle over and telling the driver she could not continue without appropriate child restraints, according to the Commerce City Police Department. The department framed the clip as a blunt safety reminder for Highway 2 and warned that officers will not allow drivers to continue with unrestrained kids in the car.
Traffic Stop Caught On Camera
"Don't. Do. It," the officer says in the clip as she orders the driver to pull over. The video shows two children in the backseat without car seats, according to the post from the Commerce City Police Department. Police say the driver had been traveling well above the posted speed limit, estimating speeds as much as 50 miles per hour over the limit before the vehicle slowed down.
With the children sitting unrestrained, officers told the driver the car was not going anywhere until proper seats showed up. Another adult was called to the scene with car seats, which officers accepted before issuing citations, the department notes in its report.
Why Car Seats Are Non-Negotiable
Safety experts have been sounding this alarm for years. Proper child restraints sharply cut the risk of a child being killed or seriously hurt in a crash. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that hundreds of children are killed or seriously injured in vehicle crashes each year and that many of those who die are unrestrained.
Federal data show that correctly used child restraints significantly reduce fatalities for infants and young children. In other words, having the right car seat installed the right way is not just a box to check; it is a critical layer of protection that can make the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
Colorado’s Rules For Buckling Kids In
Colorado law requires drivers to use age-appropriate and size-appropriate restraints for children, and it gives officers primary authority to pull over vehicles when kids are unsecured. State rules track closely with what safety groups recommend.
Under FindLaw, a violation of the child passenger statute, C.R.S. § 42-4-236, is a class B traffic infraction that can result in fines. The statute also notes that a court may waive those fines if a defendant shows proof by the court date that they obtained a compliant child restraint. Law enforcement agencies, including the Colorado State Patrol and local departments, stress that drivers are responsible for making sure every child is properly buckled in on every trip.
Possible Criminal Case For Child Abuse
According to the Commerce City post, officers did more than write traffic tickets. They also issued a citation for child abuse, an allegation that falls under state criminal law and will land on a prosecutor’s desk.
Colorado Public Law explains that the state’s child abuse statute covers conduct that puts a child’s life or health at risk, and it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts. Any decision on more serious charges in this case will depend on how prosecutors evaluate the officer’s report and the circumstances shown in the video.
Commerce City police used the incident as a reminder, urging drivers to secure children before the car moves at all and to seek out certified car seat inspection stations if they are unsure about installation. For local guidance and resources on installing and using restraints correctly, residents can check the public safety section of the Commerce City Police Department website.
