Driver Had Weed On His Lap, Kid in the Backseat: Police

A man who had a burning joint in the passenger seat and a kid in the backseat is accused of endangering the life of a child.

Antonio McMichales, 26, of the 1100 block of Park Lane, Ford Heights, is charged with driving under the influence of drugs, endangering the life and health of a child, possession of marijuana and driving without insurance, police said.

An officer stopped McMichales at about 3:51 p.m. on July 18 near 75th Street and Halsted Street after it was found he did not have a valid license, police said. 

McMichales, who smelled like burnt marijuana, had what appeared to be weed on his lap, police said. He brushed it off when police asked for his driver's license and insurance. That's when police also noticed a lit marijuana cigarette in the passenger seat area and a child was sitting in the back.

Police said McMichales moved and spoke slowly. He denied smoking marijuana and was asked to perform tests for intoxication The tests showed him to be under the influence, police said. He was arrested and booked.

The child was turned over to the mother at the Homewood Police Department, police said.

McMichales is due on Aug. 29 in Markham court.

Police report information is provided by the Homewood Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.