Laurel County Woman Arrested for Endangering Child’s Welfare During Traffic Safety Checkpoint
Laurel County Woman Arrested for Endangering Child’s Welfare During Traffic Safety Checkpoint
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — A Laurel County woman is facing multiple charges after sheriff’s deputies say she endangered a child’s welfare by failing to use proper safety restraints during a traffic stop. The incident occurred during a routine traffic safety checkpoint conducted by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in the evening hours of June 18.
According to a statement from LCSO, Deputy Justin Lewis arrested 32-year-old Misty Collins of East Bernstadt, Kentucky, around 9:21 p.m. on McWhorter Road, following a stop at a traffic checkpoint located at the intersection of Slate Lick Church Road and KY 638.
Child Found Unrestrained in Moving Vehicle
During the checkpoint operation, deputies observed a black Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Collins approaching the stop. Upon inspection, officers were alarmed to see that a one-year-old female infant was being held in the front seat without the use of a child restraint device, a direct violation of Kentucky’s child passenger safety laws.
Authorities said the child’s life was unnecessarily placed in danger by not being properly secured, especially given the potential risks of collision, sudden braking, or other roadside hazards. The infant, fortunately, was not injured, but deputies noted the situation could have had tragic consequences.
Additional Violations and Warrant Discovered
In addition to the unrestrained child, the vehicle Collins was operating was found to have multiple registration and insurance violations, including:
- No current registration plates
- Expired registration
- Failure to maintain required insurance
- Failure to produce an insurance card
A routine background check revealed that Collins also had an active outstanding warrant for her arrest. Details of the warrant were not immediately disclosed by law enforcement, but officials confirmed that the warrant was one of the contributing factors in her immediate detainment.
Charges Filed Against Collins
Following her arrest, Collins was transported to the Laurel County Correctional Center, where she now faces multiple criminal charges, including:
- Endangering the Welfare of a Minor
- Failure to Use Child Restraint Device in Vehicle
- Failure of Owner to Maintain Required Insurance
- Failure to Produce Insurance Card
- No Registration Plates
- Expired Registration
- Outstanding Warrant
Collins remains in custody pending arraignment in Laurel District Court, and additional legal proceedings are expected to follow as the case develops.
Sheriff’s Office Emphasizes Child Safety
In a statement, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the critical importance of child passenger safety and urged drivers to always follow proper safety protocols when transporting young children.
“This situation could have easily ended in tragedy,” said a spokesperson for LCSO. “We cannot stress enough how important it is for all children—especially infants and toddlers—to be properly secured in an appropriate car seat. It’s not just the law, it’s common sense and a moral responsibility.”
Kentucky law mandates that children under 40 inches tall must be secured in a federally approved child safety seat. Violations of these regulations are treated seriously, particularly when a child’s well-being is placed at risk.
Ongoing Investigation
Child Protective Services (CPS) has been notified and is expected to conduct a parallel investigation to assess the safety and welfare of the infant involved. Authorities have not released details about the child’s current custody status but indicated that ensuring the child’s safety is a top priority.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office stated that routine safety checkpoints like the one conducted on June 18 are part of ongoing efforts to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities and to enforce laws meant to protect the most vulnerable members of the community.
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
The public is encouraged to report instances of unsafe driving or suspected child endangerment to local authorities. LCSO maintains an anonymous tip line and encourages community involvement in promoting road safety and child welfare.
As the legal process moves forward, Misty Collins will remain in custody unless bond is posted. Her court date is expected to be scheduled in the coming days.
For more information or to report a concern, contact the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office at (606) 864-6600.
