Fall River woman arrested for DUI with overturned 19-day-old infant in the vehicle

A Fall River woman has been arrested after what police allege was a disturbing incident.

According to Detective Lieutenant John Cahoon, at 12:06 a.m. this morning, the Portsmouth Police received a report of a vehicle operating erratically on West Main Road. Officers subsequently stopped the suspect vehicle and identified forty-year-old Valerie Ogarro of John Street in Fall River, as the operator. While speaking with Ogarro, officers observed an overturned child safety seat in the rear of the vehicle and discovered a 19-day-old infant secured in that seat. The infant was overturned in the seat and facing towards the floor of the vehicle. Officers immediately removed the infant who appeared lethargic. The infant was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital by the Portsmouth Fire Department.

Ogarro, the mother of the infant, exhibited signs of intoxication and was subsequently placed under arrest for Driving under the Influence.

Ogarro was arraigned at police headquarters on charges of DUI, Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test, and Child Abuse. She was released on personal recognizance and is scheduled for re-arraignment at the 2nd Division District Court on Monday morning.

According to Cahoon, the infant was treated at Hasbro and has been released from the hospital to the custody of DCYF.