JACKSON COUNTY -- Michelle L’Shante Thibodeau, 31 years of age, from Dresser, WI has been arrested by the Wisconsin State Patrol Eau Claire Post for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, 2nd offense, with five children in the vehicle under the age of 16, according to a news release from the Wisconsin State Patrol.
The Wisconsin State Patrol Eau Claire Post received a call from a father on Saturday, May 15, 2021, requesting a welfare check on his 12-year-old daughter. His daughter was in a vehicle with a friend and her friends family on their way to Wisconsin Dells. The daughter apparently didn’t want to be in the car anymore as the adults were smoking drugs while driving eastbound on Interstate 94.
The State Patrol says that the daughter was texting her father from the backseat, relaying the mileposts as the vehicle passed them. Dad then updated State Patrol Dispatch of her locations. State Patrol Troopers located and stopped the vehicle on Interstate 94 at milepost 105 near Hixton, in Jackson County, according to the release.
Troopers spoke with the girl and she confirmed the adults were smoking drugs while driving. Officers observed four other children in the vehicle (ages 11, 8, and 4-year-old twins). The driver, Michelle LShante Thibodeau, showed signs of impairment.
A subsequent investigation, including standardized field sobriety testing, showed that Ms. Thibodeau was under the influence of a controlled substance.
The State Patrol says that she was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance 2nd offense with minors in the vehicle, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
Officers stayed with the children until they were turned over to a responsible adult.
"Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."
Last Update: May 17, 2021 9:29 am CDT
