Deputies arrested Stanesha Allen, 31, on suspicion of DUI after a crash that injured herself and six children. (Myspace.com) |
LANCASTER, Calif. (KTLA) -- A 31-year-old mother is facing more than a dozen felony charges for allegedly DUI crash that injured six children.
Stanesha Nicole Allen pleaded not guilty Tuesday to six counts each of child abuse and child restraint law violation, and one count each of DUI causing injury and driving with a .08% blood alcohol causing injury.
The Lake Los Angeles mother was booked on felony DUI and child endangerment charges after being released from the hospital Monday night.
Bail for Allen was set at $1.7 million.
She is due back in court on Oct. 7 for a preliminary hearing.
If convicted as charged, Allen faces 19-years in state prison.
Authorities say Allen was driving a 2002 Toyota Sequoia eastbound on Avenue I near 60th Street East about 5:15 a.m. Sunday when she lost control of the vehicle and flipped it four times, officials said.
Allen had reportedly attended a wedding the night before.
She picked up the children from a babysitter that morning and was on her way home when the crash occurred, said CHP Officer Joshua Wupperfeld.
Two of the children, who range in age from 10 months to 11 years old, were partially ejected in the crash, CHP officials said.
Investigators say the younger children were improperly restrained in car seats.
Allen's 22-month old foster son suffered major head injuries.
His foot was amputated, and officials said the other would be partially amputated.
Allen's 4-year-old daughter suffered major head trauma.
The boy was in stable condition Monday, while the girl's condition was critical, CHP spokeswoman Sgt. Denise Joslin said.
The other kids, who suffered cuts and bruises, were placed in child protective custody.
Two of the victims are Allen's biological children.
The other four are believed to be foster children.
"These are six innocent children," Wupperfeld said Sunday in a news conference.
"They were harmed because of somebody's selfish mistake."
Stanesha Nicole Allen pleaded not guilty Tuesday to six counts each of child abuse and child restraint law violation, and one count each of DUI causing injury and driving with a .08% blood alcohol causing injury.
The Lake Los Angeles mother was booked on felony DUI and child endangerment charges after being released from the hospital Monday night.
Bail for Allen was set at $1.7 million.
She is due back in court on Oct. 7 for a preliminary hearing.
If convicted as charged, Allen faces 19-years in state prison.
Authorities say Allen was driving a 2002 Toyota Sequoia eastbound on Avenue I near 60th Street East about 5:15 a.m. Sunday when she lost control of the vehicle and flipped it four times, officials said.
Allen had reportedly attended a wedding the night before.
She picked up the children from a babysitter that morning and was on her way home when the crash occurred, said CHP Officer Joshua Wupperfeld.
Two of the children, who range in age from 10 months to 11 years old, were partially ejected in the crash, CHP officials said.
Investigators say the younger children were improperly restrained in car seats.
Allen's 22-month old foster son suffered major head injuries.
His foot was amputated, and officials said the other would be partially amputated.
Allen's 4-year-old daughter suffered major head trauma.
The boy was in stable condition Monday, while the girl's condition was critical, CHP spokeswoman Sgt. Denise Joslin said.
The other kids, who suffered cuts and bruises, were placed in child protective custody.
Two of the victims are Allen's biological children.
The other four are believed to be foster children.
"These are six innocent children," Wupperfeld said Sunday in a news conference.
"They were harmed because of somebody's selfish mistake."
