[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 10/06/20]
LADY LAKE, Florida — A man who was reportedly driving recklessly down U.S. Highway 441 is facing child neglect, drug and traffic charges after he was pulled over with a small child in the car.
Fruitland Park Police and Lake County Sheriff’s deputies pulled over Donald Lawain Bass, who had a young boy with him, on Temple Hill Road. As they were patting him down for weapons, Bass lifted his baseball cap off his head and a small bag of white powder fell out. Bass was detained and the child’s mother was called, according to an arrest affidavit.
Bass, 39, appeared to be under the influence of drugs, and when asked, he replied, “Roxy’s,” according to the affidavit. Roxy is slang for Roxicodone, an opioid classified as a Schedule II narcotic. LCSO asked Bass what was in the bag that fell from his head and he advised it was cocaine; the substance was field tested and did test positive for cocaine, according to the affidavit. A cut straw with white residue was found in Bass’ right front pocket.
The child was turned over to his mother and Bass’ truck was given to a family member. LCSO called the Department of Children and Families abuse hotline and spoke with an investigator who advised she would be taking a report. A second DCF investigator called the arresting deputy and told him this latest incident was the third time Bass had been caught driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle, according to the affidavit.
Bass was given citations for driving with a suspended license and child not in a booster seat. He is facing criminal charges of possession of cocaine, possession of paraphernalia and child neglect. He was taken to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $18,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
