REDBANK TWP., Pa. (EYT) — One woman is facing DUI, child endangerment, and other related charges, and another is facing a marijuana possession charge following a traffic stop on State Route 66 north of New Bethlehem earlier this month.
Court documents indicate that the Clarion-based State Police filed criminal charges against 28-year-old Lashona Monique Kennedy and 25-year-old Shanika Marie Kennedy, both of Pittsburgh.
According to a criminal complaint, Tpr. Jones was on routine patrol with Tpr. Doverspike when they observed a silver four-door sedan traveling on State Route 66 north from New Bethlehem and failing to drive within a single lane multiple times. The complaint states that the car was also driving well below the speed limit of 55 miles per hour and the driver used turn signals but then did not turn and continued to travel north.
Tpr. Jones initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle pulled onto the side of the road with half of the vehicle still on the road.
Tpr. Jones approached the vehicle and the driver rolled down her window. Tpr. Jones then requested that she pull into the parking lot to her right.
According to the complaint, when Tpr. Jones approached the vehicle again, he noticed the scent of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. He asked the driver for her license, registration, and proof of insurance, and identified her as Lashona Monique Kennedy.
The complaint states that while Tpr. Jones was speaking to Kennedy he continued to smell the scent of burnt marijuana. He also noted a 7-year-old child sleeping in the rear driver’s side seat without being buckled into a proper booster seat.
According to the complaint, when Tpr. Jones asked Kennedy if she had marijuana, she stated that she had smoked it 30 to 45 minutes prior to the traffic stop. When he asked again if she had marijuana, Kennedy denied having any.
After performing standard field sobriety tests, Tpr. Kennedy told Kennedy she was under arrest for DUI.
No marijuana was found during a search of the vehicle, however, prior to the field sobriety tests, Kennedy’s passenger, identified as Shanika Marie Kennedy, turned over a small amount of marijuana she was carrying and stated it was her’s and not the driver’s.
A lab report found 11-Hydroxy Delta-9 THC, Delta-9 Carboxy THC, and Delta-9 THC in Kennedy’s blood sample.
Based on the investigation, Lashona Kennedy was arraigned at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 13, in Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller’s office.
She faces the following charges:
– Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3
– DUI: Controlled Substance — Schedule 1 — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
– Disregard Traffic Lane (Single), Summary
– Careless Driving, Summary
– Restraint Systems — Child Booster Seat, Summary
Shanika Kennedy was also arraigned at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 13, in Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller’s office.
She faces one misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 28, with Judge Miller presiding.
