GREAT FALLS — Dawn Faye Gobert-Vanek has been charged after she was arrested in Great Falls for allegedly driving under the influence with children in her car.
Court documents state that police were notified of a person who was "driving crazy" on Sunday afternoon, and police found the car in the parking lot of Smith's grocery store on the southwest side of town.
An officer saw Gobert-Vanek slumped over in the driver's seat and two small children buckled into booster seats in the rear of the car.
The court documents allege that Gobert-Vanek had slurred speech, was unable to maintain focus, and had glazed, red, watery eyes. She told the officer she was there to pick up her husband, and said that she had "a couple" of drinks earlier.
Her husband came out and took custody of the children and the car, but Gobert-Vanek had left the scene. The officer reviewed video from his patrol vehicle and saw that Gobert-Vanek had gotten out of the car while the officer was talking to her husband, and had gone into a nearby store. The officer found her inside the women's bathroom of the store. She was then arrested and taken to the Cascade County Detention Center.
Court documents note that Gobert-Vanek has three convictions for DUI and her license had been suspended.
Gobert-Vanek has been charged with the following felonies: criminal child endangerment (2); driving under the influence (4th offense); and escape. She has also been charged with the following misdemeanors: endangering the welfare of a child (2); obstructing a peace officer; driving with suspended/revoked license.
