(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. – A Kenosha woman appeared in court Tuesday to face two misdemeanor charges after allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana with two small children in the vehicle.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Madelyn Rose Garrison, 26, is charged with operating while intoxicated—2nd offense with a minor passenger—and possession of THC, both misdemeanors. According to the criminal complaint, Garrison was pulled over by a Pleasant Prairie police officer around 2:20 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, after her vehicle was clocked traveling 69 mph in a 45 mph zone in the 8600 block of Green Bay Road.
Officer Gainer, who conducted the stop, reported that the 2020 Kia Telluride driven by Garrison slowed down but did not immediately pull over, prompting him to activate his siren in addition to his emergency lights. Once stopped, Garrison allegedly struggled to spell her last name and claimed she wasn’t sure whether it was Garrison or Beach, citing a recent marriage.
Inside the vehicle were three passengers, including two children under the age of three. The children were identified by their initials and birthdates—one born in 2024 and the other in 2022—making both well under the age of 16, which enhances the OWI charge under Wisconsin law.
Garrison initially denied consuming alcohol but admitted to smoking marijuana approximately three hours earlier. Officer Gainer noted that she had slurred speech, glassy red eyes, and delayed reactions. After being informed that the officer could smell alcohol on her breath, Garrison reportedly changed her story and admitted to drinking a High Noon earlier that day. Later in the stop, she admitted to drinking three High Noons.
She performed poorly on multiple field sobriety tests, and a preliminary breath test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.250—over three times the legal limit. A subsequent search of her vehicle revealed a baggie of marijuana weighing 2.5 grams, a yellow THC vape pen in the center console, and a pink vape pen in her purse. The marijuana tested positive using a Duquenois-Levine reagent test.
Garrison consented to a blood draw at 4:08 p.m. to confirm intoxicant levels, though results were not yet available at the time of the charging.
A records check revealed a prior OWI conviction from a 2021 incident in Pleasant Prairie. That case was adjudicated in Pleasant Prairie Municipal Court.
Because the current charges involve children under 16, Garrison faces enhanced penalties if convicted. For the OWI count, she faces a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail and a fine between $700 and $2,200, along with a driver’s license revocation of two to three years. The court would also require her to undergo an alcohol and drug assessment and follow any recommended treatment plan. The THC charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Garrison posted $600 cash bail the day of the incident and appeared out of custody for her initial appearance Tuesday. The $600 bail was continued by the court. She is scheduled to return on September 17 for a pre-trial conference.
5 Responses
Someone take her kids away. POS needs to grow up.
$20 bucks says you’ve driven in the past with kids in your car after having a cocktail….. odds are in my favor
Highly in your favor. Hypocrisy runs rampant in today’s society.
Those poor babies, their mom needs help! Evidently she has not learned her lesson with her other DUI!
Jeez, she is even commenting on her own behalf. defending herself! I will take that bet, you just lost 20 bucks!