Drunk mom falsely reports car stolen with baby inside

WEST LINN, Ore. (KOIN) – An intoxicated mother was arrested Wednesday evening after she falsely reported her car was stolen with her 4-week-old son and dog inside, police said.

Terra Nicole Brandenburg, 31, left her infant son in the car with her Doberman while she used the restroom and bought a box of wine at a 76 station in Oregon.

Before she went into the convenient store, Brandenburg reportedly crashed her BMW into an arch bridge coming into West Linn. She then pulled into the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex, police said.

“I think she just hit the bridge and panicked,” West Linn Police Department Sgt. Dave Kempas later said.

That’s when she crossed the street and walked into the 76 station. Brandenburg left the store after buying wine but returned within moments, declaring her BMW had been stolen with her baby inside.

Police started the process of issuing an Amber Alert when they started talking with the mother. Her car was found at the nearby apartment complex minutes later with the child and dog safely inside.

“When the cops were here she came back inside and used the restroom and drank the chardonnay that she had bought here,” Stone recalled. “She was still convinced her baby was missing.”

The Amber Alert was canceled before it was sent out.

Brandenburg was arrested for DUI, criminal mistreatment in the first and second degree, reckless driving, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.

A breathalyzer showed she had a 0.25 BAC, 3 times the legal limit.

Her husband, who lives in Oregon City, picked up their dog and child.