Risky ride: Couple tow granddaughter behind SUV in toy car
Florida grandparents face criminal charges after pulling 7-year-old girl while intoxicated
A Florida couple is facing child endangerment charges after they reportedly towed their 7-year-old granddaughter behind their SUV in a toy car after having a few beers Sunday afternoon, MyFoxTampaBay reports.
47-year-old Belinda Berloni admitted to MyFoxTampaBay that, in hindsight, it was a "stupid idea" to tow her granddaughter behind her SUV by attaching the child's toy car to a dog leash tied to the car.
Belinda Berloni says she and her 49-year-old husband Paul Berloni had consumed "a few beers" before the incident.
"We took this and hooked it around the hitch of the truck and drove about five miles an hour up and down the street with her," she told MyFoxTampaBay, holding-up two dog leashes, which were still connected.
Belinda Berloni says she sat with her feet dangling over the back gate of the car as they pulled the child, who was only wearing a bathing suit, three or four times up and down an access road. However, she says she didn't think the child was in any danger.
"She was all woot! woot! woot! the whole time anyway!" Belinda Berloni said.
Belinda Berloni tells MyFoxTampa Bay they were about to make their last run when they were stopped by sheriff's deputies.
"Well, I thought they were just gonna tell us we couldn't do it," she told MyFoxTampaBay. "Give us a warning, say, hey, this isn't very safe, maybe this is not a bright idea."
However, sheriff's deputies took the matter more seriously, especially because Paul Berloni reportedly has as many as four DUIs and was driving with a suspended license.
The couple was arrested, and Paul Berloni remains in jail. Belinda Berloni was able to make bail, and is now on supervised release. They face child endangerment charges.
Belinda Berloni told MyFoxTampaBay despite the charges, she loves her grandchildren and would never put them in harm's way. She added that her son was angry with her over the incident, and it is a lesson learned.
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