By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

ROCKWELL — A Rockwell mom was charged Thursday morning with child abuse after someone called 911 saying the woman was passed out behind the steering wheel and continued to attempt to drive.

According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Crystal Knight, 31, was driving her vehicle and kept hitting a mailbox. The caller said an unrestrained child was in the car and trying to wake the mother up.

A Rowan County Sheriff’s deputy was sent to 2501 Wind Swept Way around 11:45 a.m. and found Knight walking around the vehicle with the child in her arms. Officials said it was apparent Knight was under the influence of an unknown substance. She was erratic, had slurred speech and had a hard time concentrating.

After consulting with a magistrate, the deputy charged Knight with the misdemeanor offense. Officials contacted someone from Rowan County Social Services. It’s believed that Social Services contacted the child’s father to get the child at a later time. Knight was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $1,500 secured bond where she remains.

Knight has been convicted of multiple driving infractions including driving while license revoked, driving while impaired, breaking into motor vehicles, possession of burglary tools, forgery, larceny, drug possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.