Report by Staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early today, law enforcement officials detained 35-year-old Trevor Maurice Wooden Jr. on allegations of transporting a small child without proper safety measures while under the influence of alcohol.
According to a report from the Gainesville Police Department, around 2 a.m. on June 26, Wooden visited Gumby’s (located at 2028 SW 34th Street) where he engaged in conversation with a staff member in the parking lot. Observers, including the employee and a security guard, informed the officer that Wooden exhibited signs of intoxication such as bloodshot eyes and unsteady movements, along with slurred speech. They also observed there was no car seat present, and Wooden had transferred the child from the back to the front seat without a seatbelt before proceeding to the Hilton UF Hotel (at 1714 SW 34th Street) accompanied by a third individual.
The reporting officer noted that during their interaction at the hotel, despite being informed he could not leave, Wooden repeatedly attempted to close the door and tried picking up the child to walk away. Observations concluded that Wooden was evidently too impaired to be responsible for the child’s safety.
Post-Miranda, Wooden initially claimed he had stayed at the hotel with the child the entire period and hadn’t departed. However, he later conceded to consuming 2 ounces of tequila prior to driving to Gumby’s with the child and the third witness. Wooden also admitted he remained in the parking lot and spoke with the first witness without entering the establishment and was uncertain who drove back to the hotel.
The third witness reportedly said Wooden drove her and the child to Gumby’s, where she went inside and saw Wooden talking to the first witness in the parking lot. She said she had shots of alcohol and purchased pizza before getting back into the vehicle. She reportedly said Wooden did not drive back to the hotel, but she was unable to say who had driven the vehicle.
The child reportedly said Wooden had been driving and that he had placed her in the seat.
A fourth witness who was on the phone with the third witness reportedly told the officer that she had seen Wooden drive under the influence with the child in his vehicle.
The officer reported that Wooden has two previous DUI convictions and has a suspended license.
Wooden has been charged with child neglect without causing great bodily harm and resisting an officer without violence. His bail will be set tomorrow.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.