Two Warren County residents have been charged with letting a 5-year old drive a car on a public road.

William L. Dale, 59, and Amysue Dale, 46, of Russell, face felony charges of endangering the welfare of children; and conspiracy — endangering the welfare of children.

William Dale is also charged with summary charges of driving while operating privilege suspended or revoked; and failure to use safety belts.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, “William Dale operated his vehicle on public roads with a 5-year-old child on his lap, and allowed that child to steer the vehicle.”

“Amy Dale took video and pictures of this and posted it to Facebook with the caption to the effect of, ‘Pops teaching him how to drive,'” according to the affidavit.

The incident, dated April 3 in court documents, was reported by someone who saw the post, according to the affidavit.

According to police, when they interviewed William Dale, he initially stated that he did not allow the child to operate the vehicle.

“When confronted with the knowledge of the video and its presence on social media, William Dale then related he allowed (the child) to drive only on his lane and not on public roads,” according to the affidavit. He said “he could not understand why the police were involved as he had learned how to drive at the age of four years old.”

Police said Dale continued to yell at them as they were leaving and said, “he only allowed (the child) to drive on the roads around the area and not down into Warren city.”