Grimes day care employee drunk at work, authorities say

A Grimes day care employee was drunk at work Friday morning, authorities said.

Polk County sheriff's deputies were called to First Steps Child Care at about 8:30 a.m. Friday, according to a news release. Jennifer Murphy, 43, of Grimes, was arrested and charged with neglect or abandonment of dependent persons, public intoxication and a probation violation.

Murphy was on duty, deputies said.

Lt. Rich Blaylock, spokesman for the sheriff's office, said the call came in anonymously through their crime alert hotline.

Blaylock said a supervisor for the day care was on scene when deputies arrived.

He noted Murphy's blood alcohol content levels were measured, and officers determined on-scene that Murphy was drunk because of her "bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and wobbly gait."

A First Steps employee said she couldn't comment on the incident when called Friday evening.

Murphy is scheduled to appear in court Saturday.