Drugged father passes out with 1-year-old in car, police say

A 1-year-old girl is back with her mother after her father passed out behind the wheel from taking drugs Tuesday night, according to Salinas Police.

Officers said the girl was unrestrained and only wearing a diaper when they arrived to investigate the car in a parking lot at 640 E. Boronda Rd. around 10:50 p.m.

Salinas police said an officer had to wake the father, Gabriel Cruz, 30, and it was clear he’d recently used drugs.

Officers said a small amount of heroin and drug paraphernalia were found in the car. The girl was unharmed and Monterey County Child Protective Services was called out.

After interviewing the girl’s mother, officers said social workers determined it was safe for her to be with her mother, who was working when the incident was reported.

Police said Cruz had authority to be with his daughter. Cruz was arrested and taken to the Monterey County Jail on drug and child endangerment charges.