St. Marys woman facing felony child endangerment charges

A St. Marys woman is facing a multitude of charges, including felony charges of endangering the welfare of children, after allegedly operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance with three minor children among her passengers.

Nyssa Leigh Smith, 31, of 327 Walnut St., St. Marys, is facing charges in relation to the incident, according to a criminal complaint filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge James L. Martin in Johnsonburg.

On Nov. 27, 2022, a trooper with PSP Ridgway was traveling south on SR 219 in Ridgway Township at approximately 7:45 p.m. when they observed a maroon 2008 Dodge Caravan cross the center lane three times and the fog line two times within an approximate onemile span. On one of the centerline crosses, the suspect vehicle was approximately halfway into the opposing lane of travel. Within seconds of the suspect vehicle crossing into its correct lane of travel, multiple vehicles passed heading in the opposite direction. Additionally, the suspect vehicle was clocked going as much as 12 miles per hour over the posted 55 miles per hour speed limit.

Upon approaching the parking lot of Bootjack Auto, the trooper activated their emergency lights and sirens. This was reportedly the first available safe location to stop the suspect vehicle.

Smith was reportedly operating the suspect vehicle, and as the trooper spoke with her explaining the reasoning for the stop, the trooper could detect a strong odor of cannabis emanating from the vehicle. The trooper also observed a rolled cannabis joint near the center console.

Passengers in the vehicle at the time were Smith’s husband and three minor children.

When the trooper asked Smith when she last smoked cannabis, Smith replied that it had been at 4 p.m. When asked if she had a medical cannabis card, Smith replied that she did but said she could not produce it.

After asking if there was other cannabis in the vehicle, Smith showed the trooper a plastic container that had a combination of approximately 10 smoked and unsmoked cannabis joints. These items were then seized, ultimately being placed into evidence.

Another member of PSP Ridgway soon arrived on scene and conducted HGN, finger to nose, and modified Romberg testing on Smith.

When Smith’s husband was questioned about the three minor children in the vehicle, he told troopers that they were his and Smith’s. The children were reportedly 12, 10, and four years of age.

Smith’s husband also admitted to smoking cannabis earlier in the day and was informed that he was not allowed to drive himself and the children home. He made arrangements for a family member to come pick up he and the children.

Smith was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI and transported to Penn Highlands Elk for a legal blood draw.

It was noted in the affidavit that during the blood draw, Smith passed out for several seconds before waking back up. When she regained consciousness, Smith reportedly began to talk again as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

On Dec. 29, 2022, the results of that blood draw were received. At the time of testing, Smith’s blood was found to have contained the following: Amphetamine 46 ng/ mL, Methamphetamine 100 ng/mL, 11-Hydroxy Delta-9 THC 4.1 ng/ mL, Delta-9 Carboxy THC 100 ng/mL, Del

ta-9 THC 20 ng/mL, Sertraline 26 ng/mL, Desmethylsertraline

58 ng/mL, Bupropion 56 ng/mL, Hydroxybupropion 540 mg/mL, and Gabapentin 7.0 mcg/mL.

Smith is facing one summary charge of

disregard traffic lane (single); four ungraded misdemeanor charges of driving under influence of alcohol/ controlled substance; three second-degree

felony charges of endangering welfare of children – parent/ guardian/other commits offense; two summary charges of obstructed window; one

ungraded misdemeanor charge of medical marijuana – additional violation of Medical Marijuana Act; and one ungraded misdemeanor charge of marijuana

– small amount for personal use.

A preliminary hearing for Smith is scheduled to be held at 10 a.m. on April 19 before Judge Martin.