Woman allegedly led police in a car chase with a baby in the car; now she faces charges

Brittany Michelle Acuna | Bannock County Jail
POCATELLO — A woman police say sped away from a traffic stop with an unbuckled toddler in her passenger seat faces numerous charges.
Brittany Michelle Acuna, 33, has been charged with felonies for battery on an officer and injury to a child, along with misdemeanors for driving under the influence, resisting arrest and eluding an officer, court records show.
While on patrol near East Center Street around 2 a.m. Nov. 25, a Pocatello police officer saw a white Kia Sorento leaving a fast food restaurant going 35 mph in a 25-mph zone.
The officer conducted a traffic stop. As the officer approached the Kia, they saw a child, later found to be three years old, sitting unbuckled in the front seat. The officer noted in their police report that there was an empty child safety seat in the backseat of the vehicle.
While speaking with Acuna, the officer noted the smell of alcohol on her breath. She was described in police reports as having slurred speech and glassy eyes.
The officer asked Acuna to exit the vehicle, but she refused and sped away.
According to the affidavit, Acuna was driving 20 mph above the posted speed limit in icy road conditions.
Multiple officers followed Acuna to her home, where she parked in the driveway and refused to follow commands from the officers. While struggling with officers, according to the affidavit, she struck one of them in the head.
At one point, the affidavit says, the child Acuna was with fell out of the car.
Officers picked up the child and subdued Acuna. She was taken to Bannock County Jail, where she was booked. She posted a $10,000 bond two days later.
Though Acuna has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean she committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.
If she is found guilty, Acuna would face up to 17 years in prison.
She is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge R. Todd Garbett on Dec. 21.
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Source: eastidahonews.com