A woman accused of trying to give her 4-year-old child away after fleeing a drunken motor vehicle wreck in downtown Kalispell last month is now facing a felony charge.  

Prosecutors brought Sutherland Wind Shoulderblade, 29, of Kalispell up on a felony count of criminal child endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of failing to give notice of an accident following the June 21 collision at the intersection of South Main and Idaho streets. Held in the county jail with bail set at $25,000, she is scheduled to appear before Judge Paul Sullivan in Flathead County District Court on July 17 for her arraignment.  

Kalispell Police officers responding to a report of a crash about 10:55 p.m. found two vehicles, a Toyota and a Ford, idling in the northbound lane of South Main Street. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage, court documents said.  

Witnesses told officers that the Ford had was stopped at a red light in the left turn lane when the driver of the Toyota hit it from the rear. The man in the Ford told investigators he hopped out and walked up to the Toyota where he saw a woman in the driver's seat with a child in her lap, according to court documents.  

She allegedly told him she lacked insurance but had an outstanding warrant and preferred they leave law enforcement out of the wreck. Then she took off with the child, heading west on foot, court documents said.  

As they investigated the crash, officers received reports of a woman in the area attempting to give her child away, telling passersby that she was "going to jail." The woman, later identified as Shoulderblade, asked several people in a vehicle if they could give her a ride or take her child until she got out of the detention center, court documents alleged. They instead dialed 911.  

Officers found her near an auto parts store on Idaho Street, arrested her on her outstanding warrants and questioned her about the crash, according to court documents. She allegedly said she had a mixed drink at an Evergreen bar that night, but acknowledged "she was always drinking," court documents said. Officers back at the scene of the crash allegedly spotted an empty alcoholic beverage container in plain view inside her Toyota.  

During subsequent field sobriety tests, Shoulderblade sported droopy eyelids and bloodshot, glassy eyes, according to court documents. She allegedly mumbled, appeared to nod off and struggled to maintain her balance. Officers also reported detecting the faint odor of an alcoholic beverage on her.  

Authorities later sought and received a warrant for a blood draw, court documents said. While Shoulderblade was transported for the procedure, her child was taken to the Kalispell Police Department. Though complaining of nose pain, the child was later medically cleared.  

If convicted of criminal child endangerment, Shoulderblade faces up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. The misdemeanor count carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 days behind bars and a fine of between $200 and $300. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].