Parents of 6-year-old driver are arraigned

HEATHSVILLE -- A Northern Neck couple arrested after their 6-year-old son crashed the family car while trying to drive himself to school appeared in court yesterday on child-endangerment charges.

A Northumberland County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge appointed attorneys for Jaqulyn Waltman, 26, and David Dodson, 40. Each has been charged with one count of felony child endangerment. The judge also set a preliminary hearing for March 20.

"Mr. Dodson is very thankful that his son is safe and that no one was injured that day," said Jane Wrightson, Dodson's attorney.

Police say the boy drove a Ford Taurus after missing the bus Monday morning. He made it about 10 miles before crashing into a utility pole. He wasn't seriously injured.

If convicted, Dodson and Waltman each could face one to five years in prison, Wrightson said. The child and his 4-year-old brother are in protective custody.