Iowa mom accused of driving drunk at 97 MPH with kids

Belinda L. Cowell, 34, of Mason City, Iowa is accused of driving 97 MPH while intoxicated with her children. (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

David Nelson, KWQC – CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (KWQC) – A Mason City woman faces charges of second-offense OWI and child endangerment after police say she was driving 97 MPH while intoxicated.

Police say Belinda L. Cowell, 34, had her two children, 16 and 4, in the vehicle at the time.

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Police say the four-year-old was not secured.

A complaint filed in Cerro Gordo County says the incident happened along a 55 MPH stretch of Highway 122 on the evening of March 4, 2016, at which time Cowell refused chemical testing.

Police say she "demonstrated lack of coordination, unsteady balance, and inability to properly maintain control of her vehicle."

Cowell was jailed on $4,000 bond, and online court records show an order for release from custody was filed on Thursday, March 17.