RIVERSIDE, Mo. — A 25-year old Kansas City man is charged with child endangerment after Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd said he fled the scene of an accident and police while high on drugs.
Prosecutors say the crash happened on NW Vivion Road in Riverside Monday afternoon that set off a series of events leading to the arrest and charging of 25-year-old father Holden McQuillen.
“Anytime someone drives in an intoxicated condition, as we allege here, with a child in the car, it compounds the problem,” said Zahnd.
Court documents say McQuillen quickly sped off from the scene, eluding police and at one point traveled into oncoming traffic.
All, prosecutors say, while McQuillen’s four-year old son was riding in the back seat with no seat belt.
“One of the things that is heartbreaking is anytime a child grows up around an environment where drugs are being used, and in this case we allege a child being endangered by that drug use, because this child was in the backseat, unrestrained when this automobile collision occurred,” Zahnd said.
Riverside police were able to arrest McQuillen on a dead-end road. According to court documents, police noticed fresh track marks, or needle marks, on both of McQuillen’s arms.
Court documents say McQuillen allowed police to search his car which lead to the seizure of 13 hypodermic needles and two spoons, found in the trunk of the car.
“This defendant like many others, stated that he started taking prescription drugs, pills and when he couldn’t get those anymore he graduated to heroine and sadly that happens to far too many people. And its a very addictive and very dangerous drug,” Zahnd said.
Court documents say McQuillen admitted to police his addiction to heroin and the fact that he needed help.
“With the possible exception of meth, there is no worse drug on the streets today than heroin,” Zahnd said.
McQuillen faces one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident and three misdemeanors including child endangerment, DWI and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
He is currently in jail on a $10,000 bond. If convicted he faces up to four years behind bars. Prosecutors say the four-year old boy was uninjured in the accident and is with another family member.