Search

Jennings County man arrested for OVI, Child Endangerment

McGrath-Courtesy of Jennings County Sheriff's Office

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) took a Commiskey man into custody on charges related to OWI and Neglect of a Dependent on February 26.

Jennings County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting an accident that involved a vehicle that had collided with a tree on County Road 800S, near Graham Creek Elementary School. A male driver and a small infant child were in the car. 

JCSO deputies located the male driver, Joseph McGrath, 31, of Commiskey, standing outside the vehicle, which had full airbag deployment and heavy front-end damage.   

A child, under the age of 2, was located inside the vehicle, but did not appear to have any visible injury.    

As deputies began speaking with the driver to gather details of the accident, they say they detected the odor of alcoholic.

McGrath allegedly refused to cooperate and was detained. He was transported to the Sheriff’s Office, where JCSO applied for and was granted a Warrant for Blood Draw through the Jennings County Circuit Court.   

After the blood draw at St. Vincent Jennings Hospital, the suspect was taken to the Jennings County Jail and preliminarily charged with: 

  • Operating while Intoxicated w/Endangerment (Level 6 Felony)
  • Neglect of a Dependent (Level 6 Felony)

More from Top Story

  • City of Columbus presents 'Celebrate 250' from June 29-July 4

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus invites the community to "Celebrate 250", a week-long community celebration (June 29 to July 4) filled with family-friendly activities, live entertainment, historical experiences, food, music, fireworks, and more.

  • Lincoln Park holds ribbon-cutting for new ball diamond turf

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Parks and Recreation on Wednesday announced the official completion of the turf conversion of six baseball and softball diamonds at Lincoln Park, marking a major investment in the future of local athletics, tournament tourism, and community recreation. 

  • 'Visit Columbus' expands team

    COLUMBUS, Ind. - Visit Columbus has announced the addition of three new full-time staff members as part of an organizational restructuring designed to strengthen the organization’s capacity to implement the initiatives outlined in the organization’s Destination Master Plan. 

  • 'Franklin Farmers Market/Strawberries on the Square' draws biggest crowd ever

    FRANKLIN, Ind. - Representatives at Discover Downtown Franklin said they were "totally blown away" by the attendance last Saturday, May 30, for the opening day of the Franklin Farmers Market and the rescheduled Strawberries on the Square event.

  • Seymour seeks vendors for first 'Taste of Our Town' in September

    SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Jackson County Chamber and Seymour Main Street have announced the inaugural "Taste of Our Town," a new community dining experience scheduled to take place in downtown Seymour on September 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Community Calender

Today's Weather

  • Bartholomew County Weather

    Sunny intervals

    High: 84°F | Low: 68°F

Follow Local News Digital on