A woman from Baton Rouge was involved in a hit and run accident that could cause her to face charges for reportedly giving her 8-year-old daughter illegal drugs.
Police authorities revealed that on the 6th of October, troopers were dispatched to a hit and run crash on LA 44 south of LA 22 on Oct. 6. Upon arrival at the scene, the authorities sited an abandoned 2017 Hyundai Sonata in a residential pond near LA 44.
As they were conducting the inspection on the vehicle, the Troopers realized that the front passenger of the vehicle was not wearing a seatbelt just like most people forget.
The drug paraphernalia was of great interest to the troopers and they collected other items that led them to believe 30-year-old Meagen Banai was the driver. The authorities went ahead and contacted the registered owner who informed them Banai was an unauthorized user of the car.
The authorities received the information on the 8th of October identifying Banai as the driver and her 8-year-old daughter as the passenger. The authorities also revealed that the child was unrestrained and was injured at the time of the accident.
However, Banai did not take her to receive the medical attention after the incident. The Troopers later learned the child tested positive for cocaine and Benzodiazepine. Banai was arrested on the 20th of October at a residence in Denham Springs. The authorities then transported Banai to the Livingston Parish Detention Center and booked as a fugitive. As a result of her condition, the authorities had to take her to a local hospital where she later tried to escape from the situation.
On the 22nd of October, Banai was released from the hospital and booked into the Ascension Parish Prison on the following charges: Hit and Run Driving, No Child Passenger Restraint, Careless Operation, Negligent Injuring, Second Degree Cruelty to Juvenile, operating a Vehicle while License is Suspended, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule IV CDS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Simple Escape. Banai will also be charged by the Denham Springs Police with possession of schedule II CDS.
