6-Year-Old Calls Father While Mother Allegedly Drives Drunk

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Monday night, Mt. Lebanon Police got the call from an upset father saying his daughter needed help, after he had gotten a call from the frantic 6-year-old.

"Pretty upset, she was crying," Mt. Lebanon Deputy Police Chief Aaron Lauth said. "Her mother was driving the vehicle and the opinion of the 6-year-old is she was in danger that the mother was driving recklessly."

The 6-year-old was sitting in the front seat when she told police her mom drove off teh road numerous times, almost hitting a car. Tenique Mathieu and her daughter were coming back to their Shady Drive East home from the park.

According to the criminal complaint, Mathieu admitted to police that she was drinking alcohol, specifically vodka, while here at South Park with her 6-year-old.

It was 7:30 p.m. when she got behind the wheel.

The 36-year-old arrived home and five minutes later, officers showed up. Their report says, "The vehicle was in park and the key was still in the ignition."

Officers say Mathieu smelled like alcohol and that, "Tenique had glassy eyes and slurred speech. Tenique stated she was 'wasted.'"

Officers did a field sobriety test.

"After walking five steps, Tenique stopped and stated 'just arrest me,'" police say.

Mt. Lebanon police say even though the 6-year-old wasn't physically injured, CYS was contacted after the incident.

"It's not something that's that common place but if there's a child in the cat we definitely charge that because you're definitely putting your child at risk," Lauth said.

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