Cape Girardeau woman arrested after call of person 'passed out' behind wheel

A call Thursday night to police about a person passed out in a vehicle led to drugged-driving, drug possession and endangering the welfare of a child charges.

Cape Girardeau police and firefighters responded to a call just before 6 p.m. at the Amerimart convenience store, 1320 W. Cape Rock Drive, of an unresponsive person in a vehicle. A store clerk had contacted police saying a person was "passed out" in a vehicle for nearly 20 minutes, according to a probable-cause statement.

Firefighters dispatched with police for potential medical assistance made contact with the person in the vehicle, Misty L. Stewart-Mims, 32, of Cape Girardeau. After talking with the woman, who had a 9-year-old child in the vehicle, a police officer determined Stewart-Mims was under the influence of drugs, because of slurred speech and an inability to keep her eyes open, according to the statement. After she was taken to the police station, officers found a white powder that tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamine, a syringe, a spoon and other items used to inject drugs, according to the statement.

Stewart-Mims was charged two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, felony driving while under the influence of drugs because of prior convictions, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stewart-Mims was in jail Friday on a $20,000 bond. According to online court records, she didn't have an attorney. Arraignment is set for Monday before Judge Gary Kamp.

msanders@semissourian.com

388-3652

Pertinent address:

1320 W. Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.