Drunken Driver Had Unbuckled Children Lying on Floor, Trooper Says

A Greendale woman drove drunk early Sunday morning with six children in a car, two of whom were lying unbuckled on the floor, the Wisconsin State Patrol alleged.

Shelly Butler, 39, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 1st offense, with minor children in the vehicle under 16 years old, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol Southeast Region Waukesha Post.

According to State Patrol Sgt. Gaetano Martino:

At 1:05 a.m. Sunday, a State Patrol trooper stopped Butler on westbound I-94 east of Barker Road for speeding and deviating from her designated lane, nearly striking another vehicle.

The trooper detected a strong odor of intoxicants and saw six children inside the car, including two lying on the floor underneath the legs of the other children.

"A responsible, sober adult" was called to come get the children, Martino said.

Butler was taken to Waukesha Memorial Hospital for a legal blood draw, the results of which were not yet known, before she, too, was released to a sober designated driver. Charges were referred to the Waukesha County District Attorney's office.