The father who was arrested for child abuse after he had his nine-year-old daughter drive for him because he was drunk is speaking out for the first time. INSIDE EDITION has the story.
The dad caught on tape letting his nine-year-old daughter drive because he was drunk is breaking his silence.
Shawn Weimer has been called the worst dad in America. Now he's talking to ABC's 20/20. A preview appeared on Good Morning America.
Weimer said on 20/20, "I asked her if she wanted to learn how to drive. She said, 'Yes.' "
The shocking surveillance video showed the van driven by Weimer's young daughter pull into a gas station near Detroit three months ago. It showed the drunk dad walking unsteadily beside the third-grader and bragging about her driving abilities inside the convenience store.
"She drives us here. I swear to you. Nine years old. In the truck," he said to the clerk.
Weimer said on 20/20, "I was more or less bragging on how good she was doing than anything."
He bought the little girl a candy apple as a reward, and had no problem admitting he was wasted.
On the surveillane video Weimer said, "We're leaving and she's driving. I'm drunk."
He even did a drunken jig on the way back to the van, and his daughter actually waved goodbye.
A witness immediately called 911.
911 Operator: "Is the vehicle staying on the road?"
Caller: "Yeah, she's driving pretty good. I'm telling you, I can't believe it."
Weimer, who's separated from the little girl's mother, pleaded guilty to child abuse earlier this week. He says he felt terrible when his daughter said in court she was scared to be driving.
Believe it or not, the worst dad in America says he's not a bad father.
