Police: Woman With Baby In Car Leads Officers On Chase

April 08--HARTFORD -- A woman with a baby in her car led police on a chase Saturday through at least three towns, leading police to charge with numerous offenses.

No one was injured during the pursuit, which lasted more than 20 minutes, police said.

It started about 12:40 a.m. Saturday when Charice Byrd, 20, of Franklin Avenue, Hartford, would not stop for officers who tried to pull her over at Main and Windsor streets in the city's North End, police said.

She had been swerving, slowing down for no apparent reason and speeding up, although she didn't exceed the speed limit, they said.

Thinking she was drunk or in need of medical help, officers followed her, police said.

The woman drove on Routes 2 and 17 in Glastonbury and also drove on Route 3, police in Glastonbury said. State troopers also were involved, but not Glastonbury police, Glastonbury Agent James A. Kennedy said.

Police used "spike strips" to deflate the car's tires, and it finally came to a stop in Glastonbury, Hartford police said.

Officers saw that there was an infant in the vehicle and alerted the state Department of Children and Families. They also learned that Byrd had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court.

Byrd's motor vehicle charges include operating a motor vehicle without insurance, misuse of plates, operating without a license, reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit.

She also was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a minor, among other things, police said.

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