OAK HILL, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two Fayette County residents were arrested on felony child neglect charges after Oak Hill police responded to a disturbance complaint at a Wendy’s restaurant on June 9, according to a criminal complaint.
Police identified the suspects as Gary Lee Andricci, 26, of Kincaid, and Samira Alexis Ahmed, 27, of Kincaid.
According to the complaint, officers were dispatched to the Wendy’s on Main Street at approximately 7 p.m. after receiving reports of a disturbance involving a man in the drive-thru.
Officers located a silver Dodge pickup truck and made contact with Andricci, who was driving the vehicle.
Police said Andricci displayed signs of impairment, including droopy eyelids, slurred speech and the odor of marijuana.
Officers also reported observing what appeared to be marijuana residue inside the truck and detected the smell of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Ahmed was identified as a passenger in the truck. Officers reported that she also showed signs consistent with impairment, including bloodshot, watery eyes and droopy eyelids.
A young child was also inside the vehicle at the time of the investigation.
According to the complaint, Andricci told officers he had smoked a marijuana blunt while traveling to the restaurant and stated that Ahmed had also consumed marijuana during the trip.
Police said Andricci agreed to field sobriety testing and exhibited multiple indicators of impairment. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and child neglect.
A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana inside a cigar package. Officers also noted that the vehicle did not have a valid motor vehicle inspection sticker displayed.
Investigators later determined the child was nonverbal and had autism. Child Protective Services responded to the scene and arranged temporary placement for the child in a safe environment, according to the complaint.
After the child was secured, Ahmed was arrested on a charge of child neglect. Both suspects were transported to Southern Regional Jail pending further court proceedings.
