Cape Coral, FL – On February 24, 2026, at approximately 8:14 p.m., Cape Coral Police Department officers responded to the area of the 4500 block of Country Club Boulevard regarding a disturbance reported by a 13-year-old who stated that their parent was driving while intoxicated with younger children inside the vehicle.
The caller told dispatchers they had been in a verbal altercation with their parent about impaired driving and reported that the vehicle had been “swerving all over the road” before the caller was dropped off and the parent left the area with two younger children still in the vehicle. Officers contacted the 13-year-old, who confirmed that their parent, identified as Tamica Sherri Perrin (DOB 08/01/1989), had been drinking earlier in the evening and was operating a vehicle while impaired.
While officers were on scene with the reporting 13-year-old, a silver 2004 Ford Expedition matching the description provided was seen traveling southbound on Country Club Boulevard. The caller immediately identified the passing vehicle as being driven by their parent, Tamica Perrin. An officer got into a patrol car to conduct a traffic stop, initiated in the 4600 block of Palm Tree Boulevard. Officers contacted the driver, identified as Tamica Perrin. During the encounter, officers observed multiple indicators consistent with impairment, and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath. Two children, later determined to be under 10 years old, were observed in the backseat of the vehicle.
Officers conducted standardized field sobriety evaluations with Perrin, during which she showed numerous signs of impairment. Based on the totality of observations, statements, and performance on the evaluations, Perrin was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. Perrin was asked to provide a sample of her breath and refused. The children were released to the custody of a legal guardian.
As a result of this incident, Tamica Sherri Perrin taken to the Lee County Jail and charged with:
Driving Under the Influence with a person under 18 years of age in the vehicle – F.S.S. 316.193(4)DUI Refusal to Submit to DUI Testing (subsequent refusal) – F.S.S. 316.1939(1)(d)
The Cape Coral Police Department reminds motorists that driving under the influence is illegal and extremely dangerous, and that doing so with children in the vehicle carries enhanced penalties under Florida law.
