On August 8, 2016, Katherine Summerfield of 47021 Hwy 22 St. Amant, age 34, pled guilty to the charge of Driving While Intoxicated 3rd Offense with an enhanced penalty for Child Endangerment. Summerfield was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2016 traffic stop. Per Judge Kliebert, sentencing was deferred pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

On February 29, 2016, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to 47021 Hwy 22 St. Amant in reference to a disturbance. While en route, responding deputies were advised via police radio that the individual causing the disturbance, Katherine Summerfield, had left the residence in her vehicle while intoxicated, with her 15 month old child seated in her lap. Deputies met up with a vehicle matching the description of Summerfield’s vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in question. Deputies made contact with the driver of the vehicle who was identified as Summerfield. Deputies detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from her breath and observed other signs of extreme intoxication. Deputies also observed her 15 month old child seated in her lap unrestrained. After failing the Standardized Field Sobriety Test, Summerfield was transported to the Gonzales Police Department where she submitted to chemical testing. Summerfield’s blood alcohol level was determined to be .326g%. Summerfield was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital where she was evaluated by physicians due to a dangerous blood alcohol level. Once cleared, Summerfield was transported to the Ascension Parish Detention Center where she was booked accordingly. Summerfield’s child was released to family members.

On January 23, 2017, Summerfield appeared in court for sentencing. Judge Kliebert ordered that Summerfield be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a period of 5 years with credit for time served. It was ordered that 1 year of the imposed sentence is to be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.