LAWRENCE CO. — A Heltonville woman was arrested following a domestic disturbance that resulted in her being charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) with a high blood alcohol content, and neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony. Her husband is also under review for a domestic battery charge in connection with the incident.
The Lawrence County Police Department responded to a 911 hang-up call at a residence on Diamond Road on November 8, at approximately 8:08 PM. Deputies later located the driver, Chelsey Wyatt, 32, parked in a running vehicle with several juveniles inside at the old Heltonville School.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Deputy Kyle Long, Wyatt admitted to drinking alcohol and driving from her residence with the children after a verbal argument with her 40-year-old husband.
After administering field sobriety tests, officers noted an odor of alcohol from Chelsey Wyatt and reported a lack of compliance with testing instructions. A portable breath test (PBT) indicated a blood alcohol content (BrAC) of 0.241, and a certified breath test later confirmed a BrAC of 0.195—more than double the legal limit of 0.08 in Indiana.
Chelsey Wyatt was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 or above, a Class A misdemeanor, OWI endangerment, a Class C misdemeanor, and neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony.
The investigation also revealed that the couple’s argument reportedly turned physical. Initial statements from the husband referenced a verbal argument. However, statements later collected from the children by deputies and verified through a text message sent to a family member indicated a physical altercation.
Chelsey Wyatt later told Deputy Long that her husband had pushed her while she was holding her young daughter. Written statements from two of the children also claimed that the male became angry during playtime and allegedly pushed Chelsey Wyatt while she had the infant and grabbed one of the boys by the shirt.
As a result, the husband is being reviewed for the charge of domestic violence in the presence of a minor. The Department of Child Services (DCS) was contacted for immediate assistance regarding the children.
Chelsey Wyatt was booked into the Lawrence County Security Center, and the children were left in the care of a family member.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
