A Tennessee father allegedly took his two children on a drunken joyride, nearly costing them their lives. Memphis police arrested 48-year-old Jessie Newman on December 15, 2024, after his two children called 911 for help. The terrified children, a 14-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy, begged him to pull over. Thankfully, he did, and no one had serious injuries.
According to WMC, Memphis police arrived and found an intoxicated Newman passed out in his car. The father reportedly had no idea where his children were or what had happened. Police arrested Newman and he faces multiple charges related to the terrifying ordeal.
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Newman’s children reportedly begged their father to pull over.
Newman reportedly drove erratically early in the evening and took 10 minutes to put on his seatbelt correctly, according to court documents obtained by WMC. His 6-year-old son claimed he begged his father to pull over because he feared he would crash the car. Newman eventually stopped on a sidewalk at Mississippi Boulevard and Pearl Place, WMC reported.
The children got out of the car and called 911.
They reported their father’s impaired driving to police around 6 p.m. Officers arrived a short time later and allegedly found Newman passed out behind the wheel. The father was reportedly incoherent when officers approached him. Newman allegedly slurred his words and had a hard time talking with police, WMC reported. He apparently had no idea where he or his children were.
The father allegedly told police his kids were with their mother.
According to court documents, Newman said they were with their mother when asked about his children. The children were next to the father’s vehicle during the entire interaction.
Newman failed his field sobriety test and later had trouble unlocking his phone, per WREG. Police arrested him and took him into custody.
Newman faces multiple charges.
A short time later, police took him to Shelby County Jail, where he was booked on a $15,000 bond. Newman faces charges of driving under the influence and child endangerment, child abuse, neglect, public intoxication, and reckless endangerment, according to WREG. He was due in court on December 18.
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The story angered many people.
Many people commented on the story on WMC’s Facebook page. One wrote, “Disturbing but thank God the children are safe and were able to get some help.”
This person agreed and commented, “So glad the kids felt they could call the police and get the help they needed. As for the father, he needs someone to take him out behind the woodshed, if you know what I mean.”
Another commenter wants the dad to receive a just punishment. “Thank god now do something about it other than collecting fines,” the person wrote.
