CPS worker accused of DUI while taking 2-year-old girl to her mother

BARBOUR COUNTY, W.Va. (WDTV/Gray News) — A West Virginia man who said he works for Child Protective Services (CPS) is accused of driving while impaired with a 2-year-old girl in the back seat.

James Clark, 43, is charged with child neglect creating risk of injury and DUI with a minor, according to the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies pulled Clark over after they said they saw him swerve in traffic and nearly hit another vehicle in front of a school.

When Clark stopped, deputies noticed he had slurred speech consistent with being under the influence. They also noted he had a toddler in the back seat.

Clark failed a field sobriety test but blew a 0.00 on the preliminary breath test for blood-alcohol level, which, deputies said, suggests possible drug impairment rather than alcohol.

Clark told deputies he was taking the child to her mother as part of his CPS duties. He also denied using drugs or alcohol and said that he had only taken his regular daily medication.

Clark was taken to Broaddus Hospital for a blood draw.

According to West Virginia Department of Human Services officials, Clark is a contracted employee and is not officially employed by the state.

He is being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $13,000 bond.