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Police: Father Flees, Abandons Child in Car After Cops Pull Over Driver For DWI

A Stony Brook man was driving under the influence of drugs with a child in the car; the passenger, a Kings Park man and father to the child, flees the scene, police say.

SMITHTOWN, LONG ISLAND, NY -- Police said the father of a 4-year-old boy abandoned him and fled arresting officers after the man he was riding with got pulled over for driving under the influence of drugs.

Police said Benjamin Laudonio, 26, of Stony Brook, was driving a 1995 Lincoln sedan at 11:40 a.m. when he crossed over the center divider line on Route 25 in Smithtown. When Laudonio was pulled over by an officer, the passenger of the car, Paul Lucente, 30, of Kings Park, fled the scene with his child still in the back seat. An investigation revealed that Laudonio was under the influence of drugs, police said. 

Lucente was later found by police and arrested on endangering the welfare of a child and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance charges.

Laudonio was arrested on five separate charges – operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs, aggravated DWI with a child less than 16-years-old – which is a felony under Leandra’s Law, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, endangering the welfare of a child and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Lucente was one of 24 from Smithtown who was arrested in a heroin bust, dubbed "Operation Heroin Highway",  a year long investigation conducted by the Queens District Attorney's office. Lucente was arrested in December of 2011 and officials announced the results of the operation in January. In all, officers seized more than 8,000 glassine envelopes of heroin, more than five kilograms of heroin, 2.7 kilograms of cocaine and five pistols, a shotgun and an assault rifle.

The boy’s mother, Brittney Williams, also of Kings Park, was seriously injured back in December when she was struck by a car on St. Johnland Road. Friends reported in January that Williams was on a slow road to recovery. A bake sale was held for Williams that same month, to help fray medical and child care costs.

The boy was picked Monday by his maternal grandfather.

zelma smith April 24, 2012 at 07:33 pm
ok no matter what you due not due not puy your child in danger crack head he could hurt anyone but he didnt i belive the cops was there at the right time to save life it could been so much worse dont known whwere the mom was or she got hurt still you have a budle of joy in your they are top pritory they come first those men need to be in jail or try to get help it is out there think of your kids first then your famliy then freinds ok then the thing you due so bad im glad the boy is ok
Joe Mankuski April 24, 2012 at 07:34 pm
Hey, give the man some credit, he didn't abonden his child, he left him with an officer of the law. He was simply trying to beat as many charges as he could. The real criminal in this is the herion that is destroying lives. Anyone one who knows anything about it know's when your in the mix their is not much of a choice at all. And as far as him needing a trip upstate... ignorant. That will do nothing but worsen bad attitudes and behaviors. Correctional Facility? ha! What he needs is a treatment facility and a good working program that can restore him to sanity.
Lisa April 24, 2012 at 08:24 pm
You don't need to repeat yourself. I am not stupid. I understood why you said that in your first post, I only mentioned it because you said that you didn't know that your brother was doing drugs. That statement showed that you DID know.
If you are so worried about people knowing the truth, why don't you try telling it? As for your curiosity, I am not related in any way and this story has absolutely nothing to do with me. It doesn't affect me in the least. I am not concerned but, since you keep replying to me, I will defend my comments and not allow you to manipulate my words. Why do you care so much what strangers have to say? If you are so worried about your nephew and your brother, why are you wasting your time replying to everybody?
Lisa April 24, 2012 at 08:27 pm
No credit is due to someone who would protect himself before his own child. NONE whatsoever!
Nick Costadura April 24, 2012 at 08:56 pm
some of you people are disgusting...true kings parkers...he deserves to go upstate are u dumb he deserves to go to rehab and get his shit together I've known paul for many years his mom was best friends with my mom and he is a really good person but he suffers from the disease of addiction...im in recovery and have had plenty of run ins with suffolk cops and they are totally capable of giving sum body an ass beating when it is totally unnecessary...think if this was your brother would you want people that don't know shit about the situation throwing there two cents in..your all just typical townie drunk losers u don't know what the demons that man faces on a daily basis so don't comment on it
suzycreamcheese April 24, 2012 at 09:10 pm
that's what I thought. why can't CPS take the child. Maternal grandmother,, I'm so sure!
Just Saying April 24, 2012 at 09:11 pm
Nick, This is the reason this crap needs to be kept out of this country. If there was not so much heroin and other drugs being readily available to our young kids in the middle schools and the high schools maybe, just maybe, you and your friend would not be addicts.
kper April 24, 2012 at 10:04 pm
This all is just a shame, one word INTERVENTION, don't know it...watch A&E. Monday nights at 10pm. FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES, WATCH, LEARN AND ACT, IF YOU DO NOTHING YOU ARE JUST ENABLING THE SITUATION plain and simple.
Nick Costadura April 24, 2012 at 10:47 pm
just saying..the reality is there is drugs easily available and its not going away..no need to disrespect his family on the internet
MVT3 April 25, 2012 at 12:44 am
Just to note ..........Arrested NUMEROUS times for heroin!!
tommy April 25, 2012 at 01:32 am
LIsa, I am terribly sorry for what your family is going through. My prayers are with your nephew. Your brother needs help, but you know this. For those who haven't experienced addiction don't know the terrible toll this takes on family and friends. We continue to be there for them because we love them, but sometimes things like this are what saves their lives and eventually the families sanity. I can only imagine what a difficult time this is for all of you, but as I said this could be the situation that finally wakes him up...he will def have time to think about it. Don't take this the wrong way, I support you and your family. Paul has made his bed.
The Flow April 25, 2012 at 01:33 am
This has got to be the worst written (if you can even call it that) statement I have ever read. Due? What's due? Did you mean do? Please, take 5 seconds and reread your garbage before posting! What the hell is a "budle"? Please start using spell check. Actually, just stop posting comments. There is not one coherent thought, or punctuation mark in your entire garbled mess of a statement.
The Flow April 25, 2012 at 01:39 am
This is like the 10th comment you've posted. You're coming at the guy's sister saying that's she's wasting her time. You need to get off this board and get a frigging hobby! I can assure you, that no one, and I mean no one, really cares what you have to say. You should spend more time being self righteous in your own head and less time doing it on public boards.
The Flow April 25, 2012 at 01:43 am
Although he should do time, your inability to read comprehensively is severely lacking. Please reread the article, as well as the other hyperlinked articles before making a statement IN ALL CAPS!
The Flow April 25, 2012 at 01:49 am
Adoption works out great for kids his age! Everyone wants a four year old. Newborns are so last season... You can't be that stupid, or can you? The kid has a mother. The poor woman is trying to recover from being hit by a car. I'm sure she might not want to see her kid put up for adoption because the kids father is an idiot.
Kelly April 25, 2012 at 01:57 am
Get a life For real!! You don't know how hard it is to deal with someone with addiction it takes a while to overcome if ever so who cares what he's done in the past it's noones business to comment on it!!
The Flow April 25, 2012 at 02:00 am
I didn't read her comment as lashing out. When confronted with idiots attacking an entire family because of the black sheep, what the hell was she supposed to do? You're kidding about taking the advice of other commenters, right? First off, no one is really giving advice, secondly, when compared to the advice most of you idiots are offering, the kid would be better off being loaded in a canon and shot into space. Do everyone a favor, and stop telling them what you think... Your advice is terrible, your post is horrific and I can only assume that you are a hateful little person with an IQ maxing out around 86. The fact that you started off by saying how you "LoL'ed" at the Lincoln comment and then tried to make a point after that just shows how stupid and callous you are. Way to show your humanity by ending with "drug dealing, cop fleeing, baby leaving brother. Best of luck!". What would be really lucky is if you got struck by lightning, freeing the rest of us from your stupidity!
The Flow April 25, 2012 at 02:09 am
This comment is for Lisa (not Lisa Lucente). What size cape do you wear? I need to know so I can send that as well as your medal for your continual excellence in keeping true to your civic duty of fighting with a girl standing up for her family. How can you be so callous (and oblivious for that matter) to think your opinion is more valid than the guy's own sister? I can guarantee that you are a lonely person who no one listens to in the real world. So you need to escape to the internet where you can post hollow statements in an effort to gain some semblance of validation in your petty little life. How else could you explain the sheer volume of posts you've submitted on this article? It's a big world out there, and there are plenty of other news stories you can throw your 2 cents in on. Let this one go...
The Flow April 25, 2012 at 02:11 am
Excellent comment. It's nice to see a little bit of rational thinking up on this board.
Paul Hart April 25, 2012 at 02:41 am
The bottom line is this guy has to get off the street before he kills someone. I hope he can get clean, but he has to do some time.
Anne Kash April 25, 2012 at 01:18 pm
Thank you all for making me "see" why I want to leave this town and NY.
Everyone is all up and into each others business. Comments are "opinions" and opinions are like butt holes... every body has one. Judge not......lest ye be judged! My prayers to Brittany and her family and to the Lucente family. I cannot make the changes for them, but I will be praying for them and know that the Lord will have HIS way in the end.
Lisa April 25, 2012 at 03:41 pm
To the Flow,
You should worry a bit more about the amount of your own posts, as you have made far more comments than me. Get a life!
Jean Marie April 25, 2012 at 04:16 pm
Well said Anne.
KP Trash April 25, 2012 at 06:26 pm
thats the first thought I had when reading the article
Laura Schaefer April 26, 2012 at 03:11 am
Laura Schaefer
I am appalled at all this Garbage you are commenting. Do you really think that anybody that is doing heroin really enjoys it. Perhaps you should get some knowledge on the addiction before you start typing. Unfortunately, I have a couple of friends who's children are addicted to heroin. It has torn there family apart. It has ripped the other family members hearts out. You must be aware of Heroin Epidemic here in Kings Park, as well as many other Towns. It is very sad and I am very happy that no one was physically hurt. I pray for Lisa and her family and all the other people in this Town who have similar situations going on in their Family's. I commend Lisa for being a good sister and sticking up for her Family. This is not her fault nor anybody else's it's the Heroin's fault. You are extremely ignorant. Google Heroin Addiction and get Educated!
im only telling you what I think April 26, 2012 at 06:03 pm
In response to "The Flow"
What is she supposed to do you ask? How about not worry about what others say about her or her family? People are going to talk and people will state their opinions when a situation comes up, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one; and you feel the need to prove to have the biggest asshole. I think you should re-read my post because I clearly said "instead should be taking the advice from others because what you and your family have been doing, OBVIOUSLY isn't working." Never indicating that any of these comments are helpful. Unfortunately, this is what happens when your family is in the news for reasons other than positive ones. People will judge, and people will talk. As a person, you just keep your head up and continue on with your life because their judgements and chatter should not affect you. And I agree that the kid is "better off being loaded in a canon and shot into space". Mainly because, as a parent, your kids should always come first. I understand he suffers with an addiction, but this was not his first run in with the law for drugs. At the first sign of addiction, SOMEONE should have had an intervention. And the Lucente's knew what he was up to because he was arrested in December for the heroin highway. So at that point, someone should have stepped in and said "Hey, the mother is in the hospital, the father has an addiction, lets not allow the baby to be put into the middle of everything. " That's the responsible thin
im only telling you what I think April 26, 2012 at 06:13 pm
g to do. And I'm sorry about the "drug dealing, cop fleeing, baby leaving brother"...did I not state the truth? Love the way you find the need to put everyone down who makes a comment as if its your civic duty. Maybe I should ask you the question you asked someone else, what size cape do you wear? I figure you are involved in this somehow or else it wouldn't matter. Or you have been picked on and bullied your entire life so you deem it necessary to stick up for the little person. So everything you say about everyone else is actually everything that you feel about yourself. I have dealt with my family being in the news for negative reasons, but fortuantely for myself and my family, it was before the age of social media and websites like these. Bottom line, prison wont do him any good; it will only sharpen his skills as a drug dealer and other methods on getting high. A good treatment center is where he needs to be and I'm not talking about a 3 month program. When he says he's ok to go home, make him stay 6 months longer. Thats my opinion!
im only telling you what I think April 26, 2012 at 08:28 pm
True Kings Parkers huh? Were you born and raised in Kings Park? If so, then you turned to heroin just like most people your age did; so who is the REAL Kings Parker? And you've know Paul for years? Did you ever try and help him, or were you getting high right beside him? With having plenty of run ins with SCPD, and seeing all the passings recently of kids under the age of 21 to drugs, did any of that give you a wake up call? Problem is, kids always think they are invicible and "it won't happen to them". There are people called therapists, phsycologists, psychiatrists and social workers, hell even anonymous meetings and phone lines of people who are there for those who wish to seek help. I wish you the best of luck on your long road to recovery and I pray that you stay clean
scott April 29, 2012 at 12:15 am
As someone myself who fell victim to drugs an arrest and the way the press exzaggerates and throws information out of context i would like to say this is not news ... this should not even be public .... i express the 1st amendment rediculisly as far as FREE SPEECH goes but the way press ruins ppls lifes n reputaions with false information is rediculis . this is a matter that only paul and his family should be aware of not KINGS PARK JUDGEMENTAL ASSH*LES . Stop making peoples lives who actually have real problems to deal with worse . As far as pauls recovery goes i know hes got it in him to turn this around . Ive been friends with the family for years and i know with their support he will make a recovery i know its possible after hitting my rock bottom i did it and i kno he will too . Good luck to him and his family Keep yur heads up all will be fine . His family will kno who this is if u need anything gimme a call !
rf May 17, 2012 at 06:04 pm
Too bad birth control isn't retroactive......

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P. J. Miller June 18, 2013 at 02:36 pm
Assisted living is a good thing - they are not filled with drunken people, loud music....noise!!Read More Sit in a parking lot of an assisted living you will see that first they are not filled with cars. Honestly, having been through the system with parents and relatives, it is sad what happens to some of the people at assisted living or nursing homes. Relatives just drop them off and never visit. You'll get the occasional visit on maybe Christmas or Mothers / Fathers day, but for the most part they get very little foot traffic. And the people that work there tell the same story. But it is quiet. I would prefer an assisted living over a catering hall any day of the week.
Cathryn S June 18, 2013 at 09:06 pm
You are absolutely right pj. Its comparing apples to oranges. Assisted living is for the elderlyRead More that cant take care of themselves. What noise is created. They are indoors and at the age where driving may not be an option. And the facility faces Route 25A. A main corridor that has been used as a main road for over 50 years. A road that has gas stations,bars, hospitals, nursing homes, retail stores and high schools presently on it. Why not an assisted living.
P. J. Miller June 18, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Exactly. Don't see a problem having it. Many of them don't even go outdoors.
Vick w June 18, 2013 at 08:18 am
how is this allowed!!! I thought sex offenders were not allowed to live or be within a certainRead More amount of feet from a school or park or playground???? This "person" is young also, born in 1990 so he might blend in by the high school. he raped an 11 year old girl and only got 2 years in prison.
Vick w June 18, 2013 at 08:22 am
to see the pig, click or copy link belowRead More http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/SomsSUBDirectory/offenderDetails.jsp?offenderid=34309
Nick June 18, 2013 at 04:06 pm
2 years in prison!!....I think a zero should have been added to his sentence.... If I were theRead More father of the 11 year old he would not be walking around today!
knee jerk June 17, 2013 at 09:02 am
Nice. While waiting for the gates to go up, you could have viewed some of the direlect buildings inRead More town.
knee jerk June 17, 2013 at 08:58 am
Creten?
The Smithtown Avenger June 17, 2013 at 12:19 pm
I don't think the town has a say in it. That is the good old MTA.
June Kempf June 13, 2013 at 09:14 am
As past president of the Sufolk County chapter of MDA and 30 year volunteer, I would like to urgeRead More young men in the community to take the challenge and enrich your lives as well as the families of vicitms of this dread disease. You have no idea how much you will be needed and appreciated. Go for it!