Plantation police say a late-night welfare check turned into a DUI arrest when officers found a man passed out behind the wheel of a running car with his 4-year-old son inside.
Authorities identified the driver as 38-year-old Weston Turner and said the vehicle was sitting half on a curb in a shopping center parking lot. Detectives told reporters Turner appeared to be under the influence of controlled substances when they took him into custody.
How Officers Say They Found Father and Son
According to Plantation police, officers checked the parked car and found both Turner and his young son asleep, with the child in the front passenger seat. The engine was reportedly still running and the vehicle was in drive. Investigators say Turner’s foot was on the brake when they approached and that officers ultimately took him into custody at the scene.
The incident happened near Northwest 66th Avenue and 16th Street, WSVN reported.
Charges, Bond and a Judge's Order
Court records show Turner was booked on charges that include child neglect, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. His bond was set at $2,500.
Turner appeared before Broward Circuit Court Judge Corey B. Friedman, who stated, "The court does find probable cause," and ordered Turner to submit to pretrial random testing. WSVN reported that Turner remained in the Broward County Jail as of Thursday morning.
What The Law Says
Florida defines child abuse and neglect under Florida Statutes §827.03, which allows officers and prosecutors to bring neglect charges when a caregiver’s omission "results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, serious physical or mental injury" to a child.
Driving under the influence is addressed in Florida Statutes §316.193, and penalties vary based on prior convictions and whether the impaired driving caused injury. How prosecutors ultimately classify Turner’s charges, and what penalties he could face if convicted, will depend on the final filings and any prior record.
How Arrests Move Through Broward County
People arrested by city police in Broward County are generally processed through the Broward Sheriff’s Office and booked into the county jail system. Bond amounts and booking details are typically posted in the agency’s public records, which can be searched through the Broward Sheriff's Office arrest search.
The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains case dockets and filings for anyone looking up hearing dates or official court records.
Investigators have not released additional information about the child’s welfare or whether any child welfare agencies are involved. The case remains under investigation and is expected to proceed in Broward Circuit Court.
