An area man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he drove home with two children in his truck, admitted drinking, and repeatedly begged officers not to arrest him.
The incident began shortly after midnight when deputies attempted to stop an orange Chevrolet Avalanche for a traffic violation in South Point.
Instead of immediately pulling over, the driver continued driving until reaching his residence, where he pulled into the yard and exited the vehicle.
According to the report, the driver was identified as Joshua Tibbetts.
Deputies soon discovered two children were also in the truck.
One child got out of the vehicle with Tibbetts and was instructed to go inside and get his mother. A second child was found asleep in the back seat. Their mother later came outside and took both children into the house while deputies continued their investigation.
When questioned, Tibbetts initially denied drinking.
According to deputies, he insisted he had not consumed any alcohol. However, officers reported that he appeared dazed, had slurred speech, and smelled strongly of alcohol.
When asked why he failed to stop when emergency lights were activated, Tibbetts reportedly replied, “Because I live right here.”
As the investigation continued, deputies say Tibbetts became increasingly concerned about the consequences he might face.
According to the report, he repeatedly pleaded with officers to let him go, telling them that criminal charges would be devastating to both his employment and family life.
Eventually, deputies say Tibbetts admitted he had been drinking.
He reportedly told officers he had consumed “a couple beers” after playing baseball earlier in the evening.
Because of the signs of impairment, deputies requested assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
When a trooper arrived, Tibbetts was asked to perform standardized field sobriety tests.
According to the report, he refused.
Investigators say he instead continued trying to convince officers not to proceed with charges.
The trooper ultimately placed Tibbetts under arrest.
During a search of the vehicle, officers reportedly discovered an open container of alcohol.
Because two children were passengers in the truck during the incident, child endangering charges were also filed.
Tibbetts was charged with Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence, child endangering, and having an open container in a motor vehicle.
Court records show Tibbetts later entered a not guilty plea in Lawrence County Municipal Court. He is scheduled to return to court on July 20.
Why Child Endangering Charges Often Accompany OVI Cases
Ohio law allows prosecutors to pursue child endangering charges when investigators believe a child’s safety was placed at risk during an alleged impaired-driving incident.
Even if no crash occurs and no one is injured, having children in a vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence can significantly increase the seriousness of a case.
In this case, deputies say two children were passengers in the truck when the traffic stop occurred, leading to additional charges beyond the OVI allegation itself.
