Police Report School Employee Fell Asleep while Intoxicated at Work; Arrested for Risking Injury to Child

Westport Police Department Release

Westport Police Department contributed photo

On November 23, 2021, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Westport Police detectives responded to Greens Farms Elementary School on a report that a staff member was possibly impaired.  Upon arrival, detectives learned that Speech and Language Pathologist Michelle Babin allegedly fell asleep while providing educational instruction to a student.  The investigation further revealed that it purportedly took staff at least thirty seconds to wake Ms. Babin and when she finally did wake up, she was reportedly mumbling incoherently.  Additionally, she purportedly had the odor of alcohol on her breath.  Ms. Babin was ultimately transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.  

The detectives conducted an extensive investigation and concluded that the student in question was not being appropriately supervised while in Ms. Babin’s care because she was reportedly both asleep as well as possibly intoxicated when she was supposed to be instructing him.  This put the child at great risk of being injured.  A warrant for Ms. Babin’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of December 30, 2021, Ms. Babin turned herself in at the Westport Police Department.  Per the warrant, she was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child.  Ms. Babin was released after posting a $75,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on  January 5, 2022.