DUI driver had young kids in back seat without seat belts: Deputies

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. - Deputies arrested a driver in Apple Valley this week for allegedly driving under the influence while he had his young kids in the back seat without a seat belt.

It happened just before 10 p.m. on Monday, April 8, near the intersection of Bear Valley Road and Quinnault Road. A deputy with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said he saw a car swerving between lanes of traffic, and driving onto the shoulder. 

The deputy pulled the car over and found that the driver, 23-year-old Stephen Barrientos of Hesperia, had been driving under the influence. The deputy also found that Barrientos had his two young kids — a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old — in the back seat without booster seats or seat belts. 

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The deputy arrested Berrientos on charges of DUI and child abuse with the possibility of great bodily injury. 

He's being held on $70,000 bail.

Deputies are still investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to call 760-552-6800.