BURRILLVILLE – A traffic stop for speeding and erratic driving in Burrillville on Monday, Sept. 23, led to the arrest of both caregivers in a household with five children, temporary housing placement for the kids, and an investigation by the state Department of Children Youth and Families.
According to a release from the Burrillville Police Department on Tuesday, the incident began around 10:30 p.m. Monday, when Renee Lavimodiere, 34, of Garvey Ledges Lane was pulled over by police.
Lavimodiere reportedly failed field sobriety tests.
“At one point during the stop, officers also observed Ms. Lavimodiere hand an open bottle of mouthwash to her 12-year-old step- daughter, who was seated next to her in the vehicle,” noted Major Dennis Leahey in the release
Lavimodiere’s boyfriend, Joseph Godin, 35, also of Garvey Ledges Lane, showed up at the scene to pick up his 12-year-old daughter, but according to officers, he became argumentative and violent, and was also taken into custody.
With both caregivers in custody, police needed a plan for the couple’s five children, and DCYF was contacted.
The children were placed with their grandmother for the evening, and DCYF will reportedly be conducting a follow-up investigation on the incident.
Lavimodiere was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI, and transported to police headquarters. She was held overnight, and transported to Sixth District Court to face a charge of driving under the influence, first offense, BAC unknown. She is also facing charges at the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal for refusal to submit to a chemical test, as well as other motor vehicle charges.
Godin was also held overnight pending an arraignment in Sixth District Court on one count of disorderly conduct and one count of obstructing a police officer.
