Missoula woman pleads guilty to endangerment

A Missoula woman, accused of being impaired while driving with two young children in her vehicle, entered into a plea agreement in District Court in Polson March 26.

Christina Courtney McGillis, 41, originally entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson on Nov. 20, 2025, to two counts of criminal child endangerment. The plea agreement amends one count to criminal endangerment, dismisses the second, and recommends sentencing be deferred for three years.

According to charging documents, on Sept. 27, 2025, Lake County Dispatch took a report of a reckless driver in a black Cadillac traveling south on U.S. Highway 93 near Walmart in Polson. The reporting party indicated that the driver of the Cadillac appeared to have passed out at a stop light.

A Lake County Sheriff’s deputy located a vehicle matching the description of the Cadillac on Highway 93 in Ronan. It maneuvered an abrupt lane change in a restricted lane-change area, and could not maintain its lane or speed. The deputy made a traffic stop, and found two children in the vehicle.

The deputy obtained a warrant for a blood draw, which showed McGillis with a blood alcohol content at .248, more than three times the legal limit.

Judge John A. Mercer set sentencing for May 2. McGillis remains at liberty.