Woman Charged With DWI, Child Endangerment After Traffic Stop in Hampton Township
Dakota County Jail Booking Photo
DAKOTA COUNTY MN - A woman is facing gross misdemeanor DWI and child endangerment charges after authorities allege she drove on Highway 52 while impaired with a 7-month-old child sitting on her lap and no car seat in the vehicle.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, Kendi Maribel Chun Alvarado, 23, is charged with third-degree driving while impaired — under the influence of alcohol with an aggravating factor — and child endangerment. Both charges are gross misdemeanors.
The charges stem from an August 29, 2026, traffic stop in Hampton Township.
According to the probable cause statement, a Dakota County deputy parked along Highway 52 observed a black Chevrolet Trailblazer that had reportedly been the subject of a driving complaint involving possible intoxication.
The deputy caught up with the vehicle and allegedly observed it traveling 72 mph in a 65 mph zone. The complaint states the vehicle then slowed to 65 mph before accelerating to approximately 80 mph, prompting the deputy to initiate a traffic stop.
When the deputy approached the vehicle, Chun Alvarado was allegedly sitting in the driver's seat with a 7-month-old child on her lap. The complaint states there was no car seat in the vehicle.
The deputy also allegedly observed two empty beer cans in plain view — one on the passenger-side floor and another behind the driver's seat — along with an open case of beer in the back seat.
According to the complaint, the deputy observed that Chun Alvarado had bloodshot, watery eyes and smelled of alcohol. She allegedly told the deputy she was returning home after leaving to get medicine for the child's upset stomach. When asked about the odor of alcohol, she reportedly said she had also attended a social event and consumed two beers.
Authorities conducted field sobriety testing and reported observing multiple signs of impairment. The complaint states a preliminary breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration of .123.
A family member subsequently took custody of the child, according to the complaint.
At the station, Chun Alvarado agreed to a breath test after being read the breath-test advisory. The complaint alleges the DataMaster test registered a blood alcohol concentration of .10.
During a Mirandized interview, Chun Alvarado allegedly told authorities she had consumed three beers before driving and stopped drinking once she began driving.
The charges are allegations. Chun Alvarado is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.