Long Island mom accused of DWI with 3 kids in car

AMITYVILLE, N.Y -- Charges against a Long Island mother of three young children have been upgraded, according to Suffolk County prosecutors.

Suffolk County police said 29-year-old Benigna Pinedamata of Amityville picked up one of her children from school on Thursday. They said when she drove up to North East elementary school in North Amityville with her 1-month-old and 3-year-old sons to meet her 5-year-old son, she drove onto a sidewalk and nearly hit a school bus. Police said she was stopped by a security officer who suspected she was intoxicated.

Officials called 911. Police charged her with aggravated while intoxicated with a child 15 years or younger, driving while intoxicated and other charges. The charges have been upgraded to 16 counts.

Pinedamata reportedly had a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit, and she had her three children in the car, a violation of Leandra's Law.

It wasn't immediately known if she had a lawyer.

Authorities say the children were turned over to their father.