Woman Arrested For Driving while intoxicated with a child in the car

Ocean Township – Police responded to a possible drunk driver in the area of the 1200 block of West Park Avenue on Saturday, March 1, around 6:00 in the evening.

Detective Lieutenant Kevin L. Faller stated in a printed release that Officers Matthew Guido and John Hanna checked the area where they located a woman who Faller identified as Ellen Baccarella, 57, of Tinton Falls. The officers found her standing next to her vehicle.

According to Faller they had determined that she was intoxicated and that she had been operating the vehicle while under the influence. They also discovered that inside the car was a five year old child that had been there the entire time while she had been driving under the influence.

Baccarella was taken into custody and charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Child Endangerment. Faller stated that she was released on a complaint summonses and given a future court hearing. The child was transported to police headquarters where she was turned over to her father, who was not involved in the incident.

Detective Michael Melody is conducting the follow-up investigation, anyone wishing to volunteer information or witnessed the incident is asked to contact him at 732-531-3323 or email him at crimetips@oceantwp.org