News

June 25, 2009

Suspect of DUI says she fled abuse

Police say woman was intoxicated and driving with 4-year-old girl in back seat.

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – A woman arrested by city police on evidence of drunken driving with a child in the vehicle claimed she was fleeing an abusive man in Plains Township early Wednesday morning.

City police said they were alerted to an intoxicated woman driving a Jeep Liberty traveling from Plains Township to Kingston just before 1 a.m.

Police spotted the Jeep on North River Street, where the driver, identified as Tina L. Fedo, stopped in a parking lot near the closed Luzerne County Juvenile Detention Facility.

A 4-year-old girl was observed lying in the rear seat of the vehicle, police said.

Fedo, 38, of Kingston, claimed she fled a home on Second Street, Plains Township, with the child after she was punched in the face by Lawrence Joseph Casey, 22, of Ashley, according to arrest records.

While Fedo was being questioned in the parking lot, police said an intoxicated Casey showed up in a vehicle.

Fedo was charged with endangering the welfare of children, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct and failing to secure a child in a safety seat. She was released on $5,000 bail.

Casey was charged by city police with driving under the influence, and by Plains Township police with simple assault and harassment. He was released on $5,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaints:

After police stopped Fedo in the parking lot, she argued with an officer, saying her brother is a police officer in New Jersey. She pulled the girl from the rear seat and held onto her, telling police, “laws prevented officers from arresting her while she was holding a child.”

Police allege Fedo refused to let go of the child, who was eventually taken away from her.

Fedo was removed from the vehicle by force, police said.

She was taken to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for a blood-alcohol test and for facial injuries she allegedly sustained when she was assaulted.

Fedo told police, according to the criminal complaint, she was contacting her brother in New Jersey who “would get revenge” against the officers and their families.

Police said they found suspected marijuana in her purse.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled on July 2 in Central Court.

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.

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