Lenoir County deputy arrested for DWI, child abuse

A Lenoir County deputy was arrested for driving while intoxicated, along with child abuse Monday morning.

Karen Lee, 33, was charged with a DWI, open container and reckless driving by state troopers in Craven County. Lee, who serves as a school resource officer at E.B. Frink Middle School, was also charged with three counts of child abuse after officers said her three children were found home in Cove City under no supervision.

Lee no longer works with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office after the incident.

Court documents say there was a hit and run accident on U.S. 70 near Cove City in Jones County and troopers were notified. Lee was stopped heading east in the westbound lanes of the highway and officers reported she had an “odor of an alcoholic beverage, red glassy eyes and open container.” The records showed Lee’s BAC was .19, well above the .08 limit in the state.

Lee’s court date will be Dec. 3 in New Bern.

Photo credit: WITN