A Doral mother was arrested Monday night after deputies said she showed signs of impairment during a traffic stop and battered a Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputy while three children were inside her SUV. According to court documents, the 36-year-old, who was driving a Ford Explorer, was taken into custody and booked on multiple counts after an officer reported seeing the vehicle strike a curb and drive erratically before coming to a stop.
Traffic Stop Turned Confrontation
As reported by WSVN, investigators say the traffic stop began after the Explorer failed to maintain its lane, followed another vehicle too closely, skipped using turn signals, made improper turns and hit a curb. The arrest affidavit cited by the station says deputies then observed glassy eyes, incoherent speech and difficulty forming sentences, and also noted that three children were inside the SUV.
Officials allege the woman intentionally touched a deputy's vest and tried to grab a pen and glass breaker from his uniform before resisting detention. According to the affidavit, a judge later found probable cause and set bond at $3,000.
What Florida Law Says
According to Florida Statutes section 316.193, a DUI conviction when a passenger under 18 is in the vehicle carries enhanced penalties, including higher fines, the possibility of jail time and mandatory ignition-interlock requirements. For a first DUI conviction with a minor present, the statute lists fines starting at $1,000 and authorizes up to nine months in county jail under that subsection. Any such punishment would be in addition to potential penalties tied to battery or resisting charges like those described in the arrest affidavit.
Not an Isolated Case Locally
Recent local cases show this is not a one-off situation. NBC6 reported an October 2025 incident in which a driver allegedly struck a trooper's cruiser while intoxicated with three children in the vehicle, leading to DUI and child-abuse charges. Cases like these have prompted close coordination between law enforcement and child-welfare agencies whenever minors are involved.
The Doral case remains active, and upcoming court filings will show whether prosecutors move to add or adjust charges. According to WSVN, there was no immediate statement from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office regarding the arrest.
