Patton Township Police this week filed charges against a 28-year-old woman in connection with an October incident in which she was allegedly found slumped over the steering wheel of a truck in a doctor’s office parking lot while her 18-month-old son was in the vehicle.
Elaina Orner, of Fleming, was charged with three counts of driving under the influence of a controlled substance as well as endangering the welfare of a child.
According to a criminal complaint, police responded to a call at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Geisinger Gray’s Woods where a woman was reportedly seen slumped over the steering wheel of a parked vehicle.
Orner was scheduled to bring her son to an appointment with a pediatrician at 4:15 p.m. but did not show up. The doctor told police she was notified by staff that Orner was passed out in a truck in the parking lot, according to the complaint. Police said the truck was partially parked on a sidewalk.
A witness told police that she was informed by another Geisinger employee that a woman was passed out in the parking lot. Police say the witness went outside and saw several people gathered around the vehicle. She reportedly knocked on the window and Orner raised her head. The witness told police at that point she noticed the child in a car seat and did not believe he was properly restrained.
Orner was awake and in the doctor’s office with her son when police arrived. According to the complaint, the responding officer believed Orner appeared to be under the influence. She seemed ‘very lethargic,’ and her pupils were small and did not respond to light, police said.
Orner allegedly told police that it may have appeared she was passed out in the truck but that she was actually texting on her phone.
Police say she failed a field sobriety test and she allegedly said she had balance and back issues. She also allegedly said she takes oxycodone for back pain, but that she had not taken any since 8:30 a.m. because she knew she would be driving.
A Patton Township Police Drug Recognition Expert also conducted an evaluation and concluded that Orner was impaired
Blood tests revealed positive findings for several controlled drugs, including the opioid painkillers Oxycodone and Oxymorphone.
Doctor’s office staff stayed with the child until Children and Youth Services arrived while Orner was taken for the blood test and processing, according to the complaint.
Orner was arraigned on Tuesday before District Judge Ronald Horner. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25.
