Valrico man charged with child abuse after DUI arrest with 2 kids in car: PCSO

VALRICO, Fla. - A Valrico man with multiple DUI arrests has been taken into custody again for a DUI and child abuse after he was pulled over with his two kids in the car, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

46-year-old James Tompkins was pulled over by deputies on Friday night after they said he was driving on the eastbound shoulder of I-4.

Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Tompkins told the deputy that he was taking his kids, 5 and 8, from Valrico to Disney World. He later said he only had "one bourbon mixed drink."

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The deputy said Tompkins had bloodshot eyes and was slurring his speech, swaying as he exited his red SUV.

What they're saying:

Sheriff Grady Judd explained his frustrations with the decision-making of this man in charge of two kids.

"What a poor excuse for a man in charge of two little kids. This is why my deputies are patrolling the major highways in our county every day in an effort to prevent high-speed traffic crashes and to get impaired drivers off the road, Judd said. "Clearly his previous arrests and convictions have not taught Tompkins a lesson, but perhaps the new felony charges of child abuse will sink in. I'm very grateful those children are okay."