Pulling kids in wagon while reportedly intoxicated lands 22-year-old in jail, court

By ERIC BERNSEE

Editor

Pulling the kids along in a little red wagon is one of those time-honored, all-American Norman Rockwell-type occasions in which most children and adults have found themselves on one end or another or both.

But when you mix in reported intoxicants, a darkened roadway, some belligerent conduct and other nefarious factors, an erstwhile childhood memory can end up in criminal court.

For a 22-year-old Russellville man that's basically what happened as he now faces child endangerment and two other charges following an unusual Oct. 11 incident near Groveland.

Ryan N. Carel is accused of being intoxicated and putting the lives of two small children in danger as he pulled a little red wagon occupied by the youngsters along a dark county road in northeastern Putnam County.

The predawn incident occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m. last Friday along County Road 725 East, just south of U.S. 36 at Groveland.

Tuesday afternoon in Putnam Superior Court, Carel had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf as he went before Special Judge T. Edward Page to face charges of child endangerment/neglect of a dependent, a Class D felony; and public intoxication and disorderly conduct, both Class B misdemeanors.

"If convicted on all three charges," Judge Page warned Carel, "you could get three years, 360 days (in jail) and up to a $10,000 fine."

Putnam County Sheriff's Department Deputy Ronnie Campbell reported being dispatched to the scene along the busy county road that provides many Heritage Lake residents with access to U.S. 36 and the BP gas station/convenience store there.

"I explained," Deputy Campbell said, "that we had several calls from drivers that could not see them until the last minute, and also that Ryan kept yelling at the drivers and almost jumping in front of them."

Apparently Carel and the others had gone to the BP station and were returning to a residence south of the store, court records indicate.

Carel, whose dark clothing was reportedly making him difficult for passing drivers to see, was pulling the wagon with the children's mother and another male following a short distance behind when Deputy Campbell located them.

The deputy characterized Carel as "very angry," saying the suspect was "yelling and screaming that he was chosen by God and we could not touch him ... and the government was collapsing anyway."

Campbell also described the suspect as staggering and exhibiting slow, slurred speech.

"Ryan said that he was yelling and going toward the vehicles," Deputy Campbell noted, "because his nephew was just hit by a van in Russellville several days earlier and the vehicles were not giving him room."

Carel was transported to the Putnam County Jail, where he tested .051 percent on the PBT blood-alcohol unit. He reportedly refused to tell the deputy what else might be in his system.

Judge Page ordered Carel held on $2,000 surety bond with a $200 cash option.

Deputy Prosecutor Justin Long said the Department of Child Services has been called in on the case. The niece and nephew in the wagon were considered in the suspect's care at the time of the incident.

However, since the children are not regularly in Carel's care and custody, Judge Page allowed the lower bond.

"There's some distance there," the judge said, reasoning the youngsters are not regularly under the suspect's supervision.

Scott Adams was appointed as public defender for Carel, whose next court appearance was set for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 11.