W. Babylon grandmom pleads not guilty to DWI

A West Babylon grandmother was arraigned Thursday on charges of driving while intoxicated with her 2-year-old grandson in the car.

Donna Catania, 53, was free after posting bail of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond set by Suffolk District Court Judge Chris Ann Kelley, said her attorney, Francesco Tini of West Babylon. He said she maintains her innocence. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sacks had asked for $50,000 cash bail. She said when Catania was pulled over by police, "her speech was slurred and she showed signs of impairment." She failed a field sobriety test and told police she had taken prescription drugs, including Toprol, Xanax, Lexapro, Percocet and Soma, Sacks said.

According to court papers, she told police she had a back and neck injury, but denied drinking anything other than coffee. When the officer asked how much, she replied, "Eight cups," the papers said.

Sacks said authorities are still waiting for the results of a blood test to determine the nature of her intoxication.

On Catania's behalf, Tini entered a plea of not guilty to charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated and endangering the welfare of a child, both felonies.

Catania was arrested about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday on Arnold Avenue and Rosella Court, near her West Babylon home.

Kelley Thursday granted Sacks' request for a temporary order of protection directing Catania to refrain from contacting her grandchild, although Tini said family members opposed the order.

Family members were present in court and declined to comment.

Because there was a minor in her car while, police say, she was driving drunk, Catania is charged under Leandra's Law, enacted in November 2009 after the death of Leandra Rosado, 11. Leandra was killed in a drunken-driving accident when the minivan in which she was a passenger crashed in Manhattan.