Woman charged with DUI, drug possession with baby in vehicle in Hart County

HORSE CAVE, Ky. – A Texas woman faces several charges after an investigation at a traffic safety checkpoint.

Kentucky State Police says it assisted the Hart County Sheriff’s Office in conducting a traffic safety checkpoint at 8:30 pm on Monday.

At approximately 9:23 pm, a vehicle operated by Lizeth Hidalgo, 31 of El Paso, Texas, was traveling east on KY 218 before stopping at the checkpoint located at the KY 218 and Old Dixie Highway intersection.

A deputy says an open alcoholic beverage container was present in a cup holder. The deputy says an odor of an alcoholic beverage was present on Hidalgo and an odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. Hidalgo told officers she had been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana that evening.

Officers say Hidalgo told them she was traveling from New York to Cincinnati to stop at a dispensary, where she purchased marijuana.

During field testing, a K9 officer detected contraband inside Hidalgo’s vehicle. The search found marijuana, white powder suspected to be cocaine, and drug paraphernalia, according to officers.

During the investigation, officers say they located a 10-month-old child in a car seat.

Hidalgo is charged with possession of an open alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of substances, possession of a controlled substance first-degree, first-offense (cocaine), possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia (buy/possess), wanton endangerment first-degree, and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Hidalgo is lodged at the Hart County Jail.