Libby woman charged with criminal child endangerment

A Libby woman is facing multiple counts of criminal child endangerment following an incident last month when she was accused of driving drunk with two children in her vehicle.

Danielle Rae Masters, 38, was arraigned July 7 on four felony counts in Lincoln County District Court. Via her attorney, Ann German, she pleaded not guilty. Her next court hearing is set for Aug. 4.

According to the charging document filed June 23, Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack, he was patrolling on California Avenue at about 9:52 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, when he saw a black GMC Yukon traveling at a high rate of speed. His radar indicated Master’s vehicle was traveling 31 mph and as it passed him, he saw two female juveniles in the front passenger seat.

After stopping the Yukon and speaking with Masters, Ercanbrack smelled an odor of alcohol inside the vehicle. He described Masters’ eyes as glossy and blood shot and her words were slurred.

When Ercanbrack asked Masters where she was coming from, she said the softball fields. The softball league that plays on Wednesday nights is commonly referred to as the “Beer League.” Ercanbrack asked Masters how much she had to drink and she said she had about three beers between 4:30 p.m. and 9:50 p.m.

Later Masters allegedly said she had about four beers. She said she had been working since 3:30 a.m. When she used the portable device to read blood alcohol levels, it indicated a reading of .179, more than twice the legal limit.

When Ercanbrack showed her the results, she allegedly said, “Shesh, from only four beers.” The officer also asked Masters how old her children were and she said one child was hers and the other was her daughter’s friend and that they were 11 and 12.

When Ercanbrack requested a blood sample, Masters allegedly agreed to it. Meanwhile, Ronald Masters, who arrived after he was called when Danielle was pulled over, took the kids home after he passed a breath test and got permission from the other girl’s mother.

According to a record’s check, Masters had two previous DUI charges in 2008.

When the recent test from state crime lab came back, it indicated a blood alcohol content of .197.

Masters posted $15,000 bail June 24. A conviction for criminal child endangerment could result in a 10-year term in the Montana State Prison.