Preliminary Exam Adjourned For Father Of 9-Year-Old Driver
WOODHAVEN (WWJ) - In a case that has made national headlines, the allegedly drunk father who police said had his 9-year-old daughter drive him to a gas station appeared in court Tuesday.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Marie Osborne reports Shawn Weimer has been charged with second and fourth-degree child abuse. Weimer's lawyer asked for and received an adjournment of Tuesday's preliminary exam to give him time to prepare for the case.
Police said at about 3 a.m. October 8 in Brownstown Township, Weimer had his young daughter drive him to a gas station because he'd been drinking. Weimer is seen on surveillance video telling the clerk the girl was his designated driver.
Police said the girl seemed genuinely surprised when she was pulled over because apparently the father had her convinced it was OK for her to drive. The girl told officers she thought she was "driving pretty good."
Friends joined Weimer in court on Tuesday.
"He always appeared to me, for as long as I've known him, to be a good father and a good dad," said Michael Wheatly, a former employee of Weimer, adding that he believes alcohol isn't behind the entire incident.
"Alcohol definitely affected his judgment in more than one way, and I'm just shocked more than anything," Wheatly said.
Weimer will be back in court on November 8.
