WILLIAMSON COUNTY — Editor's note: Since this article was published in 2018, a charge of abandoning a child was dismissed and one of two counts of purchasing alcohol for a minor was dismissed. She pleaded guilty to one count of purchasing alcohol for a minor and once she completed deferred probation, her case was dismissed.
Police have arrested a 57-year-old woman who admitted to serving a 15-year-old and 12-year-old alcohol and allowing the 15-year-old to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence, according to an arrest affidavit.
Karen Rose Slapik, who was Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer for both minors, took them to Mel's Bowling Lanes in Georgetown during mid-April. At the bowling alley, Slapik purchased an alcoholic beverage she called an "upside down pineapple shot," according to the affidavit.
The 15-year-old told police in an interview that Slapik allowed her to drink the alcoholic beverage and added that Slapik told her "don't get me busted" after the drink was purchased.
According to the 15-year-old's interview with police, Slapik also yelled out "lightweight" after the minor stumbled while sending her ball down the bowling lane -- indicating she could not hold her liquor.
The 12-year-old told police Slapik also allowed her to have two sips from the alcoholic drink, but said the 15-year-old drank most of it.
Then, Slapik allowed the 15-year-old to drive all three of them back home from the bowling alley to a residence in Thrall -- approximately a 30-minute drive -- while the minor was under the influence of alcohol, the affidavit stated.
Police later obtained video of Slapik purchasing the drink, as well as footage of the minors consuming it in front of Slapik. When police asked Slapik about the incident, she admitted to purchasing the beverage, allowing the minors to drink it, and letting the 15-year-old to drive them all home.
CASA of Travis County gave KVUE the following statement Thursday:
“We were dismayed to learn of these allegations and began responsive actions immediately: gathering pertinent information, meeting with the volunteer, discharging the volunteer from our program, and reporting the incident to law enforcement. We take the safety of the children we serve seriously, and we responded quickly and thoroughly. The alleged actions violate our program policies and the volunteer had recently re-acknowledged these policies.
Child safety is our top concern, and in addition to volunteer screening and supervision practices that exceed state and national requirements, we emphasize immediate, decisive response. Our mission is to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected.”
Slapik has been charged abandoning or endangering a child. Her bond was set at $50,000.
