Woman charged with child endangering, OVI

A 21-year-old Elyria woman is facing a list of charges after crashing her car into a tree and then breastfeeding her infant son in the early morning of July 24, according to Elyria police report.

Chamiyia Wheeler, of Middle Avenue, is charged with two counts of operating vehicle while under the influence and single counts of endangering children, driving under suspension and reasonable control.

At 1:57 a.m., police were called to Middle Avenue and Ninth Street for a 2003 Chevrolet Impala that crashed into a tree.

When officers arrived, Wheeler admitted to driving the vehicle before it crashed and having two shots of Crown Royal Apple, the report said.

Officers could smell alcohol on Wheeler, she slurred her words and had trouble putting sentences together, according to the report.

While speaking with officers, Wheeler was breastfeeding her 3-week-old son, the report said.

Officers told her not to breastfeed her son because of her intoxicated state, but she continued to breastfeed, according to the report.

Her son was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash, according to the report.

Another woman in the vehicle told officers they were traveling north on Middle Avenue when Wheeler made a wide right turn onto Ninth Street and the wheels locked up.

Wheeler performed three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which she failed, the report said.

Wheeler’s son was transported to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center for evaluation, the report said.

Hospital staff was concerned for the infant’s welfare because he had lost some weight since he had been born, and likely would have him transported to Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital for evaluation and care, according to the report.

Lorain County Children’s Services was advised of the situation, the report stated.

Wheeler