Bellefontaine police arrested a woman Wednesday afternoon after she was found unconscious behind the wheel of a running vehicle in the Walmart parking lot, allegedly with an air duster canister in her mouth.
According to a Bellefontaine Police Department report, officers were called to Walmart on South Main Street shortly after 4 p.m. after a customer reported a woman slumped over the steering wheel of a parked vehicle.
The caller told police he arrived at the store around 3:50 p.m. and noticed a vehicle running in the parking lot.
When he returned from shopping, he observed the driver, later identified as 43-year-old Stephanie Havens, of Middleburg, unconscious behind the wheel and attempted to get her attention by tapping on the window.
When she did not respond, he contacted the police.
As officers arrived, Bellefontaine EMS personnel were already on scene.
Paramedics told officers Havens had been slumped over the steering wheel of the white 2016 Ford Taurus, and when they opened the driver’s door, they reportedly observed an air duster canister in her mouth.
After removing the canister, Havens became alert and immediately attempted to take the canister back.
According to the report, Havens told emergency responders she had simply been “making a sandwich.”
She was then offered transportation to Mary Rutan Hospital, but declined treatment.
Officers questioned Havens about her ability to safely operate a vehicle.
She stated she believed she was capable of driving.
Officers transported Havens to the Bellefontaine Police Department for further evaluation.
During a search of the vehicle, officers found multiple empty air duster cans under the driver’s seat.
Investigators also recovered several receipts showing purchases of air duster products from Lowe’s, Walmart, and Meijer.
At the police department, officers attempted two separate breath tests using the Intoxilyzer, but both tests resulted in an “Interference Detected” error message after she provided breath samples.
A criminal history check revealed Havens had a prior conviction for abusing harmful intoxicants in 2025 through Marysville Municipal Court.
Because of the prior conviction, police charged the new offense as a fifth-degree felony.
Havens was arrested on charges of Abusing Harmful Intoxicants and Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs and was transported to the Logan County Jail.
While jail staff were processing Havens, corrections officers observed what they believed to be a foreign object in the area of her stomach.
Jail officials declined to accept her into custody until she was medically evaluated.
Bellefontaine EMS transported her to Mary Rutan Hospital, where she underwent a CT scan and additional medical evaluation.
Hospital staff determined there were no findings of concern.
After receiving medical clearance, Havens was transported back to the Logan County Jail and booked on the charge of Abusing Harmful Intoxicants.
The OVI charge remains pending the results of laboratory testing and the completion of the investigation.
