Woman pleads not guilty in child endangerment case

Linda Carrie Williams, 41, pleaded not guilty to felony criminal child endangerment in Flathead District Court on Aug. 10.

Williams allegedly drove under the influence of alcohol with a 5-year-old child in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.

According to court documents, police responded to a report of an order of protection violation at a man’s Kalispell residence on July 18.

The man told police that Williams, who he reportedly had an order of protection against, had just left his residence. An officer located and pulled over the vehicle Williams was driving. The officer smelled alcohol while talking with Williams, who allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol. The officer also noticed an open beer can in the vehicle, court documents stated.

Williams reportedly showed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test showed she was over the legal limit. Williams was arrested and transported to the Kalispell Police Department, where she provided a breath sample that showed a blood alcohol concentration of .1, over the legal limit of .08.

A jury trial is set Oct. 10. If convicted, Williams may face up to 10 years in Montana State prison and a maximum fine of $50,000.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.