CASS COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A West Fargo woman faces felony charges after deputies allegedly found her intoxicated with her vehicle blocking a rural road early Sunday morning, according to court documents.
Ayla Rae Kennedy was arrested around 12:45 a.m. near the intersection of County Road 5 and 17th Avenue Southeast, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Cass County District Court. She is charged with felony child abuse and felony child neglect, along with a misdemeanor DUI.
A Cass County deputy on patrol reported seeing a vehicle parked sideways across 148th Avenue SE, blocking the roadway with its running lights on. Kennedy exited the driver’s side and approached the deputy’s patrol car.
According to the affidavit, Kennedy told the deputy she had gotten into an argument with her juvenile son and kicked him out of the vehicle. She said the child was walking north on County Road 5 and claimed he had punched her in the head during the altercation.
The deputy later found the juvenile walking along the road and detained him for his safety. The child reportedly told the deputy that both Kennedy and her passenger were intoxicated and had forced him to drive, even though he did not have a permit or license.
He said that during the argument, Kennedy grabbed him, hit him, and took his phone. He admitted striking her back after she hit him, according to the report. Deputies noted the child had visible injuries and bleeding on his face and nose, while Kennedy had a small bruise on her head.
Deputies said Kennedy displayed multiple signs of intoxication, including watery eyes, slurred speech, an alcohol odor, and poor balance. She agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests and was taken into custody.
Kennedy was booked into the Cass County Jail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 9 in Cass County District Court.
Felony child abuse and neglect charges in North Dakota carry significant penalties, including possible prison time. For more information on state child protection laws, visit the North Dakota Child Protection Services page.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
