Kent Police arrested the Federal Way parents of a child for investigation of DUI and reckless endangerment domestic violence after they allegedly were using drugs in a vehicle with their 3-year-old boy in the back seat.

Just before midnight Sunday, Jan. 7, a Kent officer conducting routine patrols in the area of 1500 West Meeker Street, spotted a vehicle at the gas pumps with the engine running, according to a Jan. 8 Kent Police news release.

The officer drove past the car for a closer look and observed that the driver and front seat passenger were both slumped over and appeared to be asleep, according to police. After a short time he made contact to check on their welfare.

The driver woke up when the officer made contact. Despite that the female driver reportedly was holding a partially melted plastic tube in her hand, and the officer could see a piece of burned tin foil with half of a blue pill on the floorboard, she denied using drugs.

The tube, often called a “tooter,” and the burned tin foil are common items known to be used for smoking fentanyl, according to police. Passing out is a common result of using fentanyl. Fentanyl is regularly seen on the street as a blue pill prior to smoking.

The driver initially denied using any drugs, but eventually allegedly admitted to using on and off during the day. The officer told her to turn off the car, and took the keys. At this point he noticed a small child in the back seat. The officer then reportedly noticed that burnt foil and half a blue pill were near the child’s baby bottle.

The driver, a 46-year-old Federal Way woman, and the passenger, a 28-year-old Federal Way man, were the parents of the child, according to police. The man reportedly was similarly intoxicated by drugs and the officer determined that they had allegedly exposed the child to drugs.

Medical personnel evaluated the child, who was released back to Kent Police officers, who safeguarded him until state Child Protective Services (CPS) could take custody.

Police arrested the mother and booked her for DUI. The mother and the father were booked for reckless endangerment domestic violence because of the presence of their child.

Multiple officers arrived to assist, and during the investigation they reportedly noticed many items of drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Once the suspects and child were removed, officers wrote a search warrant to retrieve the items.

This is at least the third time these parents have been contacted and arrested by Kent Police for similar incidents, according to the news release.