PRINCETON, W.Va. — A baby discovered covered in vomit in the backseat of an alleged DUI driver’s vehicle found a safe haven and compassionate caregivers at the West Virginia State Police detachment in Princeton, West Virginia Tuesday evening.

Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, Princeton troopers made an arrest about a mile from their headquarters.

“We made an arrest for DUI,” said Trooper B.R. Wood, with the Princeton detachment. The woman behind the wheel, who Wood identified as the child’s mother, was taken into custody following the stop. “The 1-year-old baby boy was in the backseat covered in vomit,” he said. “The vehicle was disabled, so we brought the baby boy back to the detachment.”

Wood said Senior Trooper D.C. Graham gave the baby a bath in the sink of the detachment’s break room/kitchenette, wrapped him in a towel, and then cradled him until Child Protective Services officials arrived.

“He was the best little baby. He had just started to nod off when CPS arrived,” Wood said.

Wood said the baby had been sick for some time. “Apparently, he had been under the weather for a bit.”

“The baby has now been placed with a legal guardian,” Wood said “He is safe at this time and under the supervision of CPS.”

Wood said the baby was in a car seat at the time of the traffic stop.

Wood said the woman driving the vehicle faces a charge of DUI with a minor, which carries a misdemeanor penalty of not less than two days or more than 12 months in jail, and a fine of not less than $200 or more than $1,000.

Perry is the editor of the Bluefield, West Virginia Daily Telegraph.