North Port, Fla. (970 WFLA)- The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people early Saturday morning after deputies found them passed out in a car parked in the middle of the road, with a toddler in the backseat.
Deputies were called to the intersection of River Road and Tamiami Trail in North Port just after 4:30 a.m., for reports of a disabled vehicle blocking northbound lanes of Tamiami Trail.
When deputies arrived, they found 36 year old Matthew McRee, in the driver’s seat and 30 year old Christina Mattessino, in the passenger’s seat. The vehicle’s engine was running and a 2-year-old child was in the backseat.
According to McRee, he had fallen asleep at the wheel and didn’t know where he was. A search of the car led deputies to the discovery of a soda can containing heroin on the floorboard as well as marijuana stuck in the passenger side air vent. When Mattessino exited the car, deputies located four needles and drug paraphernalia in her purse.
The couple was arrested and the toddler was released to relatives.
McRee is charged with Child Neglect, DUI, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Narcotics Equipment and Driving with License Suspended. He remains in custody today on $44,000 bond. Mattessino also faces a single count of Child Neglect and Possession of Narcotics Equipment. She is currently being held on $17,000 bond. McRee has prior arrests for Armed Burglary, Battery by a Person Detained and various drug charges. This is Mattessino's first arrest in Sarasota County.
Photo Credit: Sarasota Sheriff's Office