NEWS

Police: 9-year-old calls 911 from back seat to report driver using heroin

Fernanda Crescente
Cincinnati
Paula Smith

A 9-year-old called police Saturday to report a Batavia woman had been snorting heroin behind the wheel, police said.

Paula Smith, 41, was charged with endangering children, operating a vehicle under the influence, refusal of a chemical test and possession of an open container, according to court documents.

Cincinnati police said the 9-year-old was in the back of the car and called 911 to report the incident on the 2300 block of Quebec Road in East Price Hill.

When police arrived at the location, Smith was still behind the wheel, but the 9-year-old had been moved to a fire truck, police said.

Police said they found a can of Bud Light Ice in the car's center console upon further investigation.

Smith appeared in court Monday. She is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center.