Drunk Driving with Child in Vehicle Plea

DELHI, NY – Acting District Attorney Shawn Smith announced today that Shelly A. Genung, 52, of Sidney, New York, appeared in Delaware County Court on October 24, 2023, and pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a child in the vehicle.   

Genung appeared before the Honorable John L. Hubbard, Delaware County Court Judge, and pleaded guilty to Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, a Class E Felony.  Prior to entering her guilty plea, the defendant admitted that she was operating the motor vehicle on a public highway in the Village of Sidney, while she was intoxicated by alcohol.  The defendant further admitted that she had been drinking vodka, and that she was driving with a 6-year-old child in the vehicle. 

The guilty plea was entered as part of a negotiated disposition, whereby the defendant will be sentenced to 5 years of felony probation supervision and required to comply with any substance abuse treatment recommendations.  The defendant will also be required to successfully complete the Impaired Driving Program and attend a Victim Impact Panel.  The defendant’s license will be revoked, and she will be required to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle she owns or operates.  

Acting District Attorney Shawn Smith commended Officer Brendan McDevitt of the Village of Sidney Police Department for his thorough investigation of this case. Smith stated, " There is no excuse for anyone to drive drunk, especially with children in the vehicle. Impaired drivers put the lives of pedestrians and other motorists at risk any time they get behind the wheel.” 

Shawn J. Smith 

Acting District Attorney 

Delaware County