Red Hook woman faces felony aggravated DWI charge after child passenger found during Chatham traffic investigation

Chatham, New York – A 23-year-old Red Hook woman is facing multiple driving while intoxicated charges, including a felony count under New York’s Leandra’s Law, after state police say she was found to be heavily intoxicated while driving with a one-year-old child in her vehicle.

According to the New York State Police, the incident unfolded on the evening of June 12, 2026, when troopers assigned to SP Chatham responded to a report involving a vehicle that was allegedly being driven erratically along the Taconic State Parkway. Authorities were alerted to the situation and began searching for the vehicle to check on the welfare of its driver.

At approximately 6:10 p.m., troopers located the vehicle, a 2008 Hyundai, parked at the East Chatham Xtra Mart on Route 295 in the Town of Chatham, Columbia County. What began as a routine welfare check quickly turned into a criminal investigation after officers made contact with the driver.

Police identified the operator as Tianna M. Houle, 23, of Red Hook, New York. During their interaction with Houle, investigators said they observed several signs of intoxication. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were administered at the scene, and according to police, she did not successfully complete them.

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As the investigation continued, troopers discovered that a one-year-old child had been inside the vehicle during the incident. The presence of the young passenger elevated the seriousness of the case and led to additional charges under state law designed to protect children from impaired drivers.

Houle was taken into custody and transported to the State Police barracks in Chatham for further processing. There, she agreed to submit to a chemical breath test. Police said the test recorded a blood alcohol content of 0.24 percent, three times New York’s legal limit for operating a motor vehicle.

Authorities confirmed that the child was not injured during the incident and was safely released into the custody of a sober third party.

Following the investigation, Houle was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under Leandra’s Law, a Class E felony. She also faces a charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated for allegedly operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.18 percent or higher, as well as a standard driving while intoxicated charge. Both of those offenses are classified as unclassified misdemeanors.

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After processing was completed, police issued Houle an appearance ticket directing her to appear in the Town of Chatham Court. Court records indicate she is scheduled to answer the charges on June 24, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.

The charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.