A motorcyclist is accused of zipping along a Dakota County highway with his 3-year-old daughter seated in front of him and his 5-year-old son behind -- none with helmets.
Michael B. Johnson, 44, of Mendota Heights, was charged in District Court by summons with child endangerment, a gross misdemeanor.
Helmet use is required in Minnesota for anyone on a motorcycle who is 17 or younger.
The charge alleges that Johnson put the children "in a situation likely to substantially harm" them.
"They're my kids, we do it all the time!" read a police report, quoting Johnson soon after he was stopped a few blocks east of Hwy. 13 and three blocks from his home. "My kids ride their own motorcycles. I ride a motorcycle. ... This is like ... for our family. ... Do you know what I mean?"
A telephone message seeking comment from Johnson was not returned on Wednesday.
According to the criminal complaint:
A police officer spotted Johnson shortly after 8:20 p.m. Aug. 3 northbound on the north end of Hwy. 13 (Sibley Memorial Highway) near Annapolis Street, with the two children aboard. None had head gear. Only Johnson wore protective eyewear.
