Man Arrested For DWI With Child In Backseat

Shawndell Wilder, 48, was arrested for DWI on Wednesday.

A Suffolk County man, whose license was suspended 18 times, was arrested Wednesday for driving while intoxicated with a 1-year-old in the backseat.

Shawndell Wilder, 48, of Greenlawn was initially pulled over along Jericho Turnpike, near Cooper Avenue, in Huntington Station for having tinted windows and a cracked windshield at 4:30 p.m.

Officers then placed Wilder under arrest when they determined he was drunk and had a 1-year-old in the vehicle's backseat. They also discovered his license had been suspended 18 times.

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Wilder was charged with driving while intoxicated, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and endangering the welfare of a child. Additionally, under Leandra's Law, Wilder was also charged with a felony count of aggravated driving while intoxicated with a passenger 15-years-old or younger.

The toddler's mother, 25-year-old Alicia Fabre, was also arrested because she knew Wilder was drinking before he set off operate the vehicle. She was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

The youngster was released into the custody of his grandparents. Police also contacted the Suffolk County Child Protective Services.

Wilder is set for arraignment on Thursday while Fabre will be arraigned at a future date.

Leandra's Law, which was signed into law by Gov. David A. Paterson in November 2009, was inspired by the parents of 11-year-old Leandra Rosado. Leandra, an only child, was killed when a family friend was drunk driving and lost control of the vehicle killing young Leandra. The law makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child in the car.