Crime & Safety

Mother Sentenced To 3 Months In Jail For Driving While Drunk With Her Kids In The Car

Amandalyn Tomcany had pleaded guilty previously to endangering children and operating a vehicle while intoxicated

Amandalyn Tomcany -- the -- was sentenced to three months in jail Wednesday by Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets.

Tomcany and her boyfriend were driving to a wine and liquor store to buy vodka when she was arrested.

As Trebets sentenced Tomcany, he reminded her, "The most important job you're ever going to have is being a parent."

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"Exactly," Tomcany agreed.

Tomcany, 22, also received another three months in jail but the judge suspended them, so she can avoid serving that jail time if she stays out of trouble.

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She will also have to take alcohol and drug treatment classes, as well as a parenting course through Lake County Job and Family Services.

Her attorney, Public Defender Mandy Gwirtz, said Tomcany already understood she is an alcoholic and is seeking help.

"This isn't someone denying who her problem is," Gwirtz said.

Gwirtz also said that Tomcany realized part of her problem was her boyfriend, Kevin Payerchin.

Payerchin, 27, of Mentor, was . He was convicted of endangering children.

"She realizes it's over," Gwirtz said of Tomcany and Payerchin's relationship.

Finally, Gwirtz noted this conviction had already cost Tomcany her job because she lost her licensing in the health care field. She has since found a new job.

Tomcany was , including the same baby who was left in the car.

A Mentor officer saw Tomcany swerve over the median and almost sideswipe another car before pulling into the liquor store's parking lot, Mentor Police Lt. Ken Zbiegien said .

While Payerchin went into the liquor store, a police officer approached Tomcany. The policeman, suspecting Tomcany was drunk, asked her to take a Breathalyzer test.

She agreed to take the test and had a breath-alcohol content of .174, Zbiegien said. That is more than twice the legal limit to drive.

Two children were in the back seat -- a 9-month-old infant and a 4-year-old boy, Zbiegien said. Both were properly restrained in their respective car seats.

The officer charged Tomcany with driving while drunk and endangering children. Tomcany has since pleaded no contest and been found guilty of both charges in .

The children living with Tomcany and Payerchin are now staying with other relatives.


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