Woman found unconscious in car with baby, drug paraphernalia triggers pursuit, deputies say

LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA — A woman who was already on the radar of Florida Department of Children and Families was arrested after deputies said they found her either asleep or passed out in her vehicle with a baby in the backseat.

Lake County deputies said they made contact with Lucy Maldonado, 39, at about 5 p.m. Tuesday at a Wawa gas station in Clermont.

They said deputies noticed track marks on her arms and said she was slurring her speech.

Deputies said Maldonado then put the vehicle in gear and drove away.

They were able to stop the vehicle about 30 minutes later using stop sticks near the Orange County line, ending the pursuit at a Walmart on Apopka Vineland Road.

Deputies said they found an infant in her car, along with multiple needles and drug paraphernalia.

Deputies called the Florida Department of Children and Families investigators, who said they already had an open case against Maldonado and have been looking for her for weeks.

They said the child, who is believed to be 6 months old, had no pre- or post-natal care.

Deputies said Maldonado also had a felony drug warrant out of Orange County.

She is facing charges that include fleeing and eluding and aggravated child abuse. She will appear in court in Lake County Wednesday morning.

No one was injured.

No other details were released.