FARMINGTON — A Fruitland woman has been charged with driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs and abuse of a child after police alleged she drove with a young child in her vehicle during a May 27 traffic stop in Farmington, according to a criminal complaint filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.
Nichole J. Manuelito, 42, is charged with one count of abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm) and one count of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs (.08 or above), according to court records.
All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
According to a statement of probable cause, Farmington police were dispatched to a McDonald’s restaurant at 1608 W. Main St. after a caller reported concerns about a white Dodge Dart and alleged the occupants appeared intoxicated. Police also reported receiving information that a child was inside the vehicle.
According to the affidavit, an officer located the vehicle in the drive-thru lane and contacted Manuelito. Police alleged they observed signs of impairment, including bloodshot and watery eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Court records state a young child was seated in the rear seat of the vehicle. According to the criminal complaint, prosecutors allege Manuelito endangered the child’s life or health by driving while intoxicated.
According to the affidavit, officers located an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle. Police alleged Manuelito initially denied consuming alcohol but later admitted drinking earlier in the evening.
Police reported Manuelito agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests. According to the affidavit, officers alleged she displayed multiple indicators of impairment during testing.
According to the affidavit, officers alleged Manuelito displayed four clues during the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, seven clues during the Walk-and-Turn test and three clues during the One-Leg Stand test.
According to court records, Manuelito allegedly admitted consuming a tall can of Smirnoff Smash and two shots of vodka earlier in the evening. Police further alleged she admitted driving from a residence on Caspean Avenue to the McDonald’s location.
According to court records, Manuelito provided breath alcohol concentration readings of 0.11 and 0.11 during testing conducted at the Farmington Police Department.
Police also reported speaking with a witness who allegedly told officers Manuelito drove away from a residence while a child was present in the vehicle and another adult occupant had been drinking earlier in the evening, according to the affidavit.
CHARGES FILED
- Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm)
- Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs (.08 or Above)
CASE STATUS
Court records indicate Manuelito was booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center following her arrest. A case referral was expected to be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office, according to the affidavit.
Court records reviewed by San Juan Pulse did not indicate whether Manuelito has retained legal counsel.
SOURCE
According to a criminal complaint and statement of probable cause filed in Farmington Magistrate Court under case number M-47-FR-2026-00313.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.