This is unbelievable. It's sad to see an individual who probably has what may be a substance abuse issue. I don't know, but when someone says, " she had just picked up her two daughters, a two-year-old and a one-year old, from the DCYF Child and Family Services." it can lead one to only assume that there has been past trouble(IMO)......perhaps? I know DCYF does a lot of things for kids, so I don't want to interject conjecture as fact. The other thing I would ask, is who released the kids to this women, if what she says is what she was doing? I mean, if the women stumbled getting out of the car, after being stopped, she surely had to be in that condition when she picked up the kids. Who was the person who oversaw her kids at the daycare or DCYF? Thank god for the MPD in stopping her before anything bad could have occured. Good job guys. Maybe this women can get help for her problem.

At 51 years old with a one year old and a two year old I'd probably be drinking too!!! Thought the MPD needed a joke for the day!

At 51 years old with a one year old and a two year old I'd probably be drinking too!!! Thought the MPD needed a joke for the day!

In her defense of one thing (barely)..a DCYF funded daycare is on John Clark Rd. However, drinking & driving alone in the car is horrible - let alone with a one & two year old. I hope she gets the help she needs and stays off the road.

Amelia, there is nothing about this incident that requires a "joke ".

Wow. If she was as toasty as the report indicates, was she in that condition (or worse) when she picked up the children at the DCYF center? If so, why the h*ll did the DCYF release these children to her or not call the police then and there?

A shout-out again to the Middletown police for their vigilance when it comes to drunks on the roads.

"Let he/she without sin cast the first stone." I cant believe that people like to publicly share their views on something they know nothing about. I understand the community wants to know of what happens within the town's vicinity; however, the situation was neutralized, and it is none of our business to put in our worthless two cents about what we think of the situation. People get so much entertainment by watching and commenting on someone's misery like they have some authority to do so. I'm glad this woman was stopped before anything bad happened, but no one else knows what this woman was going through and what her life is like. I know nothing about the lives of anyone that reads this; therefore, I won't go out of my way to insult anyone who commented, but i ask everyone to just recognize the situation. Perhaps people could go forward from this in a positive note, and reflect on their own lives, and maybe see just how lucky they are. There is so much judgement put upon people in bad situations currently. it is especially bad if alcoholism really is in play in this situation because you won't realize how much of a disease alcoholism is, unless you have it. If you really have a problem with this then try to step in this woman's shoes for a day. You may say that you would never do this, but i promise you that if you had any form of alcoholism, you would not be able to stop yourself. Please just be mindful and respectful.

I know Mrs. Hebel, and she is one of the kindest, most generous people you will ever meet. She opened her already full home to two young siblings in need, and she is an outstanding mother and neighbor. This article is dispicable. These allegations have not been proven in any way; to post such a thing on a community board is a low blow, and only a writer who is desperate for a story would result to a story like this. Notice how only one side has been portrayed, with no evidence or quotes. How dare anyone attempt to tarnish the name of a truly kind and generous person without the full story. For shame.

@concerned citizen- Well if this is the case and the article is skewed, than absolutely. It is dispicable. Personally I am not trying to demonize Mrs Hebel. IF(not proven) she has issues with alcohol, then by all means, I hope she can obtain the help and treatment she needs to battle her issue. If the incident is true as posted, than my opinion on the matter doesn't change all too much. I feel bad for her, but I denounce her decision to drive while under the influence and furthermore jeopardize the two children(and possibly others), being her own or someone elses. No reason or excuse justifies the means of her actions. Plus, I would like to know if the article is true, who in their right mind would release these childen into her custody. By the police accounts she was so intoxicted she could hardly stand. That person and DCYF itself should also be possibly diciplined for their decision to let those children go with Mrs Hebel.

Mrs Hebel has been a foster parent to over 10 children, she has 4 kids of her own, and two adopted children. She voulenteers nearly every week. Imagine all that, some of which she's done on top of a job as a nurse. Don't judge somebody by one thing she's done.

A point of clarification. There is no "DCYF Child and Family Services." There is a Child and Family Services at 31 John Clarke Road that does provide childcare services (among many other services). They are a non-profit agency and are not part of DCYF.

This family is full of some of the most amazing people I know and they do not deserve this. It's a shame that all the good things they have done are being overshadowed by one mistake by someone with a problem who in reality is a loving mother, an amazing friend and a great member of our community. I'm sure she will get the help she needs so none of these rude comments or exaggerated stories in the media are necessary. This story makes me lose all hope in the media and news because they are full of judgmental and biased people who are not connected with their communities. I offer my support to the Hebel family as they go through this difficult time, only made worse by the watch and judgement of the community. I ask you to let the police and judge help these people because you're comments critisizing this woman do not help the situation at all. Thank you

@Bob....so whats your point? Because she has done some good things in her life nobody should comment on this? That gives her the right to endanger the lives of the 2 babies in her car? Not to mention all the kids in the neighborhood walking home from school, others on the road, etc? I am sure that most people that end up in the police blotter have done lots of great things in their lives. Have you ever taken up their cause?Just because you might know her don't expect everybody to sit by and shut up.

Hi Guys,

Reporting on arrests is common practice for media at all levels, from a local to an international level. We report on the arrests as reported by the police departments, and do so consistently. If we excluded people because we "like them, that is when you run into an issue of media bias. This particular allegation has been reported by local media outlets as well as NBC 10 this evening.

And that makes other local media outlets just as wrong as you. How is adding their full name and address beneficial at all except for publicly humiliating them and their children who don't deserve this attention.

I'm sure you've never made a mistake yourself. And I do feel this outrage everytime I watch the news or read the paper which is why I don't subscribe to the paper anymore or watch local news, thanks for asking(:

Erin Hebel is the kindest, most generous, and loving person that I know and this whole situation is just very unfortunate. Good people make mistakes and the important thing here is that no one was hurt and now she can learn from what has happened, get the proper help if need be, and move on. Everyone makes mistakes. This is not in response to any of the prior comments, it's just acknowledging what was printed in the news and giving support to an incredibly awesome person who sadly may have made a very big mistake. The Erin that I know will learn from this, if what was printed is true, and make any necessary changes to continue to be the incredible person that she is.

I think that so many people are commenting on here and getting into these little arguments because they want to show the readers just how great of a person Mrs. Hebel is. I don't think it's necessarily because they feel as though her behavior should be condoned, but because they do not want readers to have such a narrow-minded and absolute perception of her. Everyone lives complex lives and experiences difficult problems and hardships, whether we see them or not, and since we only see one perspective from one article about one particular account of her life, who are we to really make judgments towards Mrs. Hebel, or anyone else for that matter. Everyone is struggling in one form or another. Yes she made a terrible mistake, and yes it was incredibly dangerous; everyone agrees on this, so let's move past it. Thankfully everyone is safe! Now what we need to focus on is our sense of community and doing our best to prevent future scenarios like this from occurring. Mrs. Hebel deserves to receive good treatment, her and her family deserve a strong support system, as well as respect and privacy from us through this rough time. Despite this incident, Mrs. Hebel is a great mother and a good person who has done great things for our island. I don't think we should change our perceptions of her just because of this one particular event. We are all human.

Thank you Tyler Delaney... you said that perfectly! I absolutely agree!

Tyler, I completely agree! She is an amazing woman who made a poor decision. No one knows her personal life, so no one can judge past the fact that this was a bad choice. Yes, everyone is safe and that is the main focus now. Her and her family deserve respect and support through this time.

Regardless of whether this woman is a saint or a sinner is irrelevant. Regardless of personal circumstances or hardships or just a night out with friends. A 51 year old should know not to drink and drive, especially with two small children in the car. If the arresting officers are correct, this could have been a serious disaster involving other innocent people on the road. Many are complaining and calling it unfair that her arrest made the papers. It is par for course when someone gets arrested. The loving friends and family are not doing her any favors by justifying her actions. They say that she needs help. I hope she gets it for her sake. Think back to when you were a kid. Your parents just caught you doing something big. You got reprimanded, had things taken away and maybe even grounded. Those things hurt-and you remember them vividly. Instead of making excuses, let her and her friends use this opportunity to make a lasting impression so that this does not happen again. Accept the arrest and the humilation that comes with it. Accept the courts decision. If there is a conviction, accept it as part of your bad decision. Some will talk, but, that will fade away in time. If there is an issue with alcohol, if the court suggests it: go. If the courts do not say anything-prove that you are worth the effort. It is not something you will readily forget. A lesson you can give to the two babies in the back seat.

Just to clarify, Erin Hebel picked the children up about 90 minutes before the incident and gave no indication of intoxication at the time, according to Keith Tavares, of Child and Family Services.

Jane, by all means, I am not remotely suggesting that her families and friends should leave and toss her aside. Not at all, it will be her family and friends that will help them get past it. They cannot be replaced. As friends have already mentioned, she is a grand women who has done a lot of good things, dealt with a lot of her own issues. She has survived, fortunately. These are good things. My point still is everyone needs to follow the same rules. They are called laws that apply to everyone, regardless the highs and lows, accomplishments and failures. If you read my post without all the emotion, I was not being critical. I was being supportive. I have been in those shoes and it is not fun. But it is possible to bring good out of this. As was suggested above. I have one thought, everyone that has been picked up for DUI, regardless of 1st offense or a repeat offender, should talk to a family who lost a family member to a drunk driver. Then think, what if that drunk driver had killed a member of my family. It kind of changes your perspective. The loss happens way to often.

Apparently, she is old enough to know better. Cars are dangerous weapons not to mention how she planned on taking care of the children if she had made it home without an incident. Guess the baby could walk. I am sure she wasn't capable of carrying the child.

@Jane blume, if you had of read what my comment was in reply to , you would have understood my comment. It was in reply to @ Good Friends comment; "The Erin that I know will learn from this, if what was printed is true, and make any necessary changes to continue to be the incredible person that she is." I was assuming it meant stop drinking. Anyway, I think it is not your duty to be saying things about Ms Hebel as you do and I will quote what you said in an earlier post while implying that you are good friends with her." I promise you that if you had an alcohol problem then you would not be able to stop yourself from making the mistake that she made. she is currently seeking help from multiple specialists." This sort of information is not your right to post online. This is private information you seem to have because you personally know her and should not be broadcasted. I am sure she will be unhappy with you writing this about her. If it is impossible for a person to not do this as you say, they shouldn't have children or a license. However, I do not feel life is hopeless because someone has a drinking problem which you pretty much say she does and that they can not overcome it as you basically proclaim..(The article did not call her an alcoholic or say she had a drinking problem, you did.)

I meant to say in response to Friends comment and not good friends comment.

@Jane blume, you accuse people of doing what you yourself are doing.

Regardless of whether you're a pillar in the community or a low-life, drinking and driving is still drinking and driving. Plus, she had two infants in the car to boot. She may be an amazing person but that doesn't overshadow her decision. Having opened and unopened vodka bottles in her car indicates some sort of problem, no matter how you want to look at it. I hope she gets the help that she deserves.

@ Jane Blume, as I read your comments I have realized that you are in pain and for this I am sorry. I hope that you are able to conquer your problems and not feel hopeless concerning them. I also hope that if you have a drinking problem that you not risk the deadly consequences that could occur to yourself or someone else if you drive while intoxicated. This would be a sure way to live an even more tormented life. Addictions are what they are but they can be overcome. Take Care and good luck to you and your friend.

@Autumn time - great set of comments. I think you were a bit too conciliatory to Ms. Blume who has a treatment axe to grind here for some reason. Addictions are currently enjoying a disease category because it benefits treatment centers but the view is changing, or at least being modified, to a series of controllable behaviors. 12 Step programs have the lowest success rate, highest recidivism rate and more propensity for the addict to binge when they fall off the wagon than any other program dealing with addictions including simply going cold turkey. Ms. Blume seems to know Mrs. Hebel through that sort of connection if I'm reading her rants correctly. IF Mrs. Hebel is involved with a program that promotes helplessness and ends up driving drunk with her children, then it's time for her to do better for herself and her family.

I don't care how nice this lady is...she picked up her kids at DCYF 90 minutes before. She has to live within 10-15 minutes away and no more right? She couldn't go right home to drink? If she was sober when she picked them up then she was in her right mind to make the decision to get tanked and drive around with them instead of doing it at her own house. Why a DCYF daycare anyway? Was there already a case file? Or if it was just due to finances? then she is using our tax money for daycare and spending what she could've been spending on daycare, on booze right? Take away any subsidized programs away from addicts and make them pi** in a cup in order to get welfare, assistance etc. And for everyone bi tching about the article, you'd wanna know if there was a molester in your area that could harm kids right? Would you want to know to make sure you didn't let her give your kids a ride home? or to leave your kids with her while you ran to the store? She can't even care for her own kids the right way. I don't care how sweet she is...she sucks as a mother. There is no way it just now got to this. No way. And if it has gotten to this, she could easily get the prescription for Antabuse which would not allow her to ingest alcohol without getting sick. She had enough options to avoid this. It's 2013 not 1940. There is no excuse. Defend her all you want. She should hide in her house with shame. (without the kids of course)

A sad and unfortunate situation. That being said, why didn't the Newport Daily News print the arraignment that took place on Friday, March 1? All of the others matters that were dealt with on Friday were printed in The Newport Daily News on March 2. I would hope that we would all be treated equally.

Whats the latest on this case? Is she still on the road? Surprised there has not been any follow-up on this.

Cletis, she was arraigned and pleaded not guilty on March 1. The pre-trial hearings were continued a few times, with the next one scheduled for Apr. 19.

Surely, it is a hard to contend with DWI or DUI legal cases. These kinds of cases could lead you to extremely adverse consequences eventually. Therefore, these kinds of legal cases must not be taken lightly. Implications of DUI and DWI court cases include settlement of huge fines, mandatory usage of ignition interlock gadget, cancellation of driver's license, incarceration and community service.

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