Deputies: Grandma Mixes Babysitting, Vodka, Tries To Give Away Child
SACRAMENTO COUNTY (CBS13) — Investigators say a grandmother tried to mix vodka and babysitting, and attempted to give her 4-year-old granddaughter to a stranger.
Tina Steiner, 63, was watching the child for her daughter, and allegedly took the 4-year-old to a narrow strip of grass on a busy Manzanita Avenue, near Cypress.
Investigators say that's where she possibly enjoyed a bottle of vodka until she passed out, leaving the little girl to fend for herself, just 10 feet away from busy traffic.
Witnesses called 911, concerned the unresponsive grandmother was injured or having a medical injury.
"We found out that the female was not medically injured she was intoxicated to the point where she could not care for the child," said Sgt. Lisa Bowman with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
They say she was so intoxicated, that before officers showed up, she tried to give her granddaughter away to a complete stranger.
Fortunately, that person called police instead.
Betty Taber, Steiner's property manager says the 63-year-old is usually very lovable.
"She's good with kids. I've seen her with the kids here you know," she said.
But, she adds, Steiner is like Jekyll and Hyde when she's had too much to drink.
"I think she's good with kids. It's unfortunate this happened but I think she's a good person," Taber said.
Steiner is facing felony charges of child endangerment.
The child been returned safely to her mom.
