Man Driving With 11- Month-Old Infant In Car Charged With DUI: Naugatuck Police

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Naugatuck man accused of driving under the influence with an 11-month-old infant in the car was arrested this week, according to police.

In a news release, police said officers were called to a home in town Tuesday after receiving a missing persons complaint.

As officers were gathering information, concern was raised that an 11-month-old infant was possibly in a vehicle driven by Dakota Harding, 32, of Naugatuck, who was possibly under the influence, according to police.

Concerns that the infant may not have eaten in a few hours were also raised, police said.

Officers spotted the vehicle on South Main Street and were able to stop it. Harding was found inside the vehicle with the infant, police said.

While speaking to Harding, officers noticed signs of impairment and also found narcotics in the vehicle. A drug recognition expert was requested to assist officers with their investigation, police said.

Harding was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol, second-degree reckless endangerment, risk of injury to a child and possession of a controlled substance.

He was held on a $250,000 bond and arraigned in court Wednesday morning, according to police.

Police also thanked the Shelton Police Department for providing a DRE, as well as Naugatuck Emergency Medical Services for their evaluation of the infant.