Woman paroled in playground drug case

A former Coaldale woman who was caught impaired and with drug paraphernalia in a playground while caring for an 8-year-old was given immediate parole after serving 108 days in jail.

Schuylkill County Judge John E. Domalakes on Sept. 12 sentenced Tonia M. Girard, 32, of Summit Hill to time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole.

Domalakes gave her credit for the time served.

The paraphernalia and public drunkenness charges were dropped.

Coaldale police cited Girard, now of Summit Hill, after an incident at the park on West High Street on June 9.

An officer was on foot patrol at 8:17 p.m. that day when he was approached by a resident concerned about a woman at the park. The officer spoke with Girard, who was unsteady on her feet, making jerky movements. She had pinpoint pupils and hurried speech. Girard denied having any type of drug problem and agreed to allow the officer to search her purse, according to court documents.

Inside the purse was a purple zippered case containing a pipe and small baggies. Girard admitted the pipe was used to smoke marijuana, then said it wasn’t hers, according to police.

Girard was with a child, and was determined to be unable to properly care for the child due to her condition.