Woman With Toddler In Car Arrested Following Chase Across OKC

Oklahoma County deputies arrested a woman Saturday after officers say she led them on a high-speed chase across the city, all while she had a toddler sitting in the back seat.

Saturday, a deputy spotted a Jeep parked near Linn and California in west Oklahoma City. He approached the vehicle and saw a woman, 25-year-old Tonya Chatham, sitting inside. When the deputy attempted to speak with her, she sped away.

Deputies say Chatham sped across the city, reaching speeds more than 100 mph. During the pursuit, deputies say she threw a syringe out of the window. She finally stopped her vehicle at Interstate 40 and Scott Street in Del City.

Deputies arrested Chatham and discovered a toddler sitting in a car seat in the back. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services took custody of the child.

Deputies later recovered the syringe Chatham allegedly tossed from the car, and discovered it contained liquid heroin. Chatham admitted she was injecting heroin when the deputy initially approached her car.

Chatham was booked into the Oklahoma County jail on several complaints, including eluding an officer, child endangerment, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Chatham bonded out of jail Sunday, March 17.