Woman arrested for OUI while picking up children at Wareham High School

On Friday September 14, at about 2:20 p.m. Wareham Police Officers were dispatched to the area of the Viking Drive, the High School, for a report of an intoxicated individual picking up children. Further, it was reported that school officials were attempting to stop the car, however the driver refused and headed up Viking Drive.

Upon arrival in the area, Officers Matthew Donovan and Justin Silveira saw the vehicle, and stopped it at the corner of Marion Road. After making various observations, officers asked the operator to step from the vehicle to perform field sobriety testing. During this time a 17 year old female jumped from the car and began swearing and making obscene gestures at buses and cars as they passed by. Officer Zina Kelsch, who had arrived to assist, advised the individual to return to the car. She refused to do that, instead swinging her arms, assaulting both Officers Kelsch and Silveira. The individual aggressively resisted arrest and the officers fell to the pavement during the scuffle. As officers were struggling, a third person stepped from the car and began to interfere with the arrest. After several commands to back off, this party fled the area. Officers made a call for assistance due to the fact school was letting out, and there was now a significant traffic problem. Furthermore, officers could no longer investigate the original complaint due to the scuffle now taking place. Other officers responded and order was restored.

The operator of the car was placed under arrest at the scene as well. Jennifer Keaton, 47, of Wareham, was charged with, operating under influence of liquor, child endangerment while OUI, and disturbing the peace. The juvenile female was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and resisting arrest. Ms. Keaton is due in Wareham District Court on Monday.

One officer was treated and released from Tobey Hospital due to a knee injury. Acting Chief John Walcek, who responded to the scene said, “The officers and school administrators did a great job in preventing a more serious problem in this unfortunate incident.”