Dad gets probation for "Daddying While Intoxicated" (Mansfield, Ohio)

From the Legal Blog Watch. Dad STEVEN MELENDEZ gets probation for DWI (Daddying While Intoxicated). He was arrested for pushing a double stroller around with his 1- and 2-year-old children while drinking beer--and barely being able to stand. Seems this isn't Daddy's first legal problem with the booze either.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT: So where is Mom while Daddy's getting loaded? Working to support his lazy, alcoholic butt? Or is this a single dad?

http://legalblogwatch.typepad.com/legal_blog_watch/2010/08/ohio-man-gets-probation-for-dwi-daddying-while-intoxicated.html

Ohio Man Gets Probation for DWI (Daddying While Intoxicated)

Many a mother or father will tell you that the stress of parenting is sometimes eased by the occasional glass of chardonnay, bourbon on the rocks or other adult beverage of choice. Then there's Steven Melendez.

Melendez was arrested last week in Mansfield, Ohio, while walking around the streets drunk -- pushing his children, ages 1 and 2, in one of those nifty double strollers. Though reportedly unable to stand without leaning on the stroller, Melendez told the arresting officers he had consumed only "a couple of Budweiser beers." (Nice plug, Steve. Do I hear an endorsement contract in your future?)

And, in the video below, Melendez, talking to a local TV reporter like all smart defendants do, maintained that he wasn't "stumblin' stupid drunk or nothin'":

Alas, yesterday, Melendez was sentenced to a year of probation on charges of child endangerment and public intoxication. The judge also will require Melendez to seek treatment for alcohol abuse and take parenting classes. Earlier last month, Melendez had been found guilty of intoxication and criminal mischief, but he must have had a babysitter on the date of that incident, as there is no indication he toted his tots along for that adventure.

Posted by Eric Lipman on August 4, 2010 at 10:03 AM