Newtown Police Health Check Ends With Risk of Injury to Child Charges

NEWTOWN, CT — Newtown Police responded to a series of incidents in mid- to late December, including multiple motor vehicle crashes during winter weather, a health and welfare check that resulted in criminal charges, and several parking lot and property-damage reports, according to police records.

Officers were dispatched Jan. 3 to a residence on Winding Brook Road for a health and welfare check. Following an on-scene investigation, police charged Elizabeth Shannon Beatty, 53, of Newtown, with two counts of risk of injury to a child, interfering with an officer, and disorderly conduct. Beatty posted a $35,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in Danbury Superior Court on Jan. 5, records show.

Several traffic incidents were reported as snow and ice affected road conditions across town.

On Dec. 22, three vehicles traveling southbound on South Main Street near Meadow Brook Road were involved in a chain-reaction crash when the lead vehicle stopped and was struck from behind, pushing it into a third vehicle. Police said occupants of the third vehicle were transported to Danbury Hospital with possible injuries. The driver of the first vehicle received a written warning for following too closely.

On Dec. 16, a rear-end collision occurred on The Old Road near the intersection with Mt. Pleasant Road after one vehicle stopped at the intersection and was struck from behind. No injuries were reported, and police issued a verbal warning for following too closely.

Winter conditions also contributed to several single-vehicle crashes. On Dec. 14, a Honda CR-V traveling south on Hattertown Road lost control on a snowy curve near Castle Meadow Road, striking a utility pole and a town stop sign before coming to rest in a culvert. No injuries were reported, and the driver received a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

On Dec. 29, a Mazda CX-5 slid on black ice on Mt. Pleasant Road south of Sawmill Road, struck a traffic sign with flashing amber lights, and spun around before coming to rest facing uphill. Police reported no injuries and took no enforcement action.

A separate crash on Dec. 26 involved a Toyota Scion that veered off Mt. Pleasant Road near Sawmill Road and struck bushes approximately 30 feet off the roadway. No injuries were reported. The driver received an infraction for operating without a license and a verbal warning for traveling too fast for conditions.

Police also documented several lower-speed incidents and property-damage cases. On Jan. 4, officers responded to a complaint at 8 Simpson St., where a vehicle owner reported a scratch on a parked BMW in a lot. Another vehicle’s owner denied contact, and officers observed no visible damage to that vehicle. No enforcement action was taken.

On Jan. 2, two vehicles were involved in a minor collision in the drive-thru line at the Starbucks at 75 Church Hill Road when one vehicle rolled forward and struck the rear of another. No injuries were reported, and police noted the incident occurred on private property.

A hit-and-run was reported Dec. 28 in the Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market parking lot on Queen Street after a parked Honda was found with damage to its driver-side door and pieces of a red tail light cover nearby. Store management told police there was no surveillance footage available, and the striking vehicle could not be identified.

Police also responded Dec. 28 to a deer strike on Dinglebrook Lane, where a Jeep traveling northbound made contact with a deer. Officers reported minor vehicle damage, no injuries, and no enforcement action.