A late-night traffic stop in Palm Coast, Fla., quickly spiraled into a felony investigation after authorities say a 27-year-old woman attempted to smuggle Xanax pills into the county jail — all while her 2-year-old child was in the backseat.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the incident unfolded just before midnight on Nov. 28 near the intersection of I-95 and State Road 100. Deputies say they pulled over Orlando resident Kaylie Poe after watching her drive the wrong way, fail to yield during a turn, blow through a stop sign, and then stop abruptly in the middle of an intersection.
Inside the car, deputies found Poe, another woman, and Poe’s toddler, who, according to reports, was not properly restrained.
Deputies said Poe showed several indicators of impairment, including slurred speech, watery eyes, and difficulty staying balanced. She failed multiple field sobriety tests, though a breathalyzer registered 0.00% blood alcohol content. When asked to provide a urine sample for drug screening, Poe refused, which under Florida law triggered an automatic driver’s license suspension.
Poe was taken into custody on suspicion of drug-impaired driving. Her child was turned over to child protective services and later released to the family.
Once Poe arrived at the Flagler County Detention Facility, the investigation escalated. Deputies reviewing patrol car footage say they saw Poe discreetly remove a small plastic bag from her clothing and hide it in her genital area during the drive to the jail.
A medical strip search recovered the bag, which contained an estimated 10 to 15 Xanax pills wrapped in plastic. Poe allegedly admitted to taking some earlier for anxiety, but denied attempting to hide the drugs until confronted with the video evidence.
Poe was booked on several charges, including:
- DUI with a minor in the vehicle
- Refusal to submit to testing
- Possession of alprazolam
- Introduction of contraband into a detention facility
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Possible possession with intent to sell (not confirmed in all reports)
She was released on $5,000 bond later on Nov. 29 and is expected to appear in court in early January.
FCSO released edited bodycam footage on Dec. 3 as a public safety message. The clips have since gained traction on social media, generating tens of thousands of views and a wave of reactions — many focused on the safety of Poe’s child and the seriousness of the alleged drug smuggling attempt.
The case remains open, with potential child welfare implications still under review.
