CLAY TWP — A township man is accused of using his children, ages 12 and 14, as designated drivers after allegedly having too much to drink.

Before the older boy took over the wheel, authorities said, he texted his mother telling her his father was “drunk as a skunk.”

Police charged 54-year-old Robert E. Ralston Thursday with driving under the influence and child endangerment stemming from the incident last month in Clay Township.

He also was cited for several traffic violations, including permitting an authorized person to drive his vehicle.

This is an excerpt — pick up Friday's Butler Eagle for the full report.