Muncie mother arrested for reckless driving with baby in backseat of car

MUNCIE, Ind. — A Muncie woman was arrested for reckless driving with a child in the backseat of a car.

According to a probable cause affidavit, a Delaware County sheriff's deputy first observed Kristi Lei Cain, 36, while she was driving westbound on Bethel Avenue on Thursday. The deputy, who was in an unmarked vehicle, saw Cain driving a green Dodge Stratus at a high rate of speed.

Court records indicate the same deputy later saw Cain run a stop sign on Bethel Avenue. The deputy continued to follow Cain after she passed the stop sign.

As the deputy continued to observe his activity, Cain ignored a second stop sign and began weaving in and out of traffic between westbound vehicles on Bethel Avenue.

According to court documents, Cain had a large towel on his head. The deputy reported that at one point, Cain was driving without her hands on the steering wheel because she was using them to dry her hair.

Court records show Cain ran a red light before eventually stopping driving to park in the parking lot of a medical facility. The deputy who was chasing her then activated his emergency lights and pulled into the clinic behind her.

As the deputy approached the Stratus Cain was driving, he observed an 11-month-old child in the backseat of the car. Court records show the child was not properly restrained in the back seat of the vehicle.

While speaking with the deputy, Cain said she was late for an appointment at the medical facility. Police later learned that her driver's license had been suspended and that there was a warrant out for her arrest for driving with a suspended license.

Law enforcement arrested Cain at the scene and one of his family members came to the scene to take custody of the baby who was in the back seat of the Stratus.

Cain was previously charged with reckless driving – a Class A misdemeanor – and neglect of a dependent – ​​a Level 6 felony.

The maximum penalty for a Level 6 felony in Indiana is a prison term of 2.5 years and a fine of up to $10,000.