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Sentence deferred on endangerment charge

JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months AGO
by JEFF SMITH
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | May 28, 2026 12:00 AM

A Missoula woman, who admitted to driving while impaired with a child in her car, had the imposition of sentencing deferred for three years.

Christina Courtney McGillis, 41, entered a plea of guilty to the amended charge of criminal endangerment in Polson District Court on March 26. On May 21, Judge John A. Mercer sentenced McGillis in accordance with that plea agreement, which amended one count of criminal child endangerment and dismissed a second count. 

The judge also ordered McGillis to successfully complete adult treatment court.

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 stoplight.

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. Two young children were 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.

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