An Austin woman who allegedly fled after hitting a 17-month-old boy with her car pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges Thursday in Mower County District Court.

Tiffany Ariel Hatfield, 25, pleaded not guilty to careless driving and failing to stop at a personal injury accident.

Hatfield reportedly struck the child near 11th Ave. NW and Seventh St. NW on Saturday, July 2. A witness told police Hatfield hit the child, knocked him down and kept driving. The witness followed her and told her she had hit a child; Hatfield reportedly yelled at him and denied hitting anyone.

According to a court complaint, Hatfield smelled faintly of alcohol when police spoke with her. She told officers she “pounded two beers” because she was confused and scared for the child, but she denied drinking prior to the accident. She also denied hitting the child with her car.

Court documents report Hatfield returned to the scene of the accident before her arrest to see if the infant was OK.

The little boy suffered scratches on his foot and face. He had wandered into the road during a family gathering, according to a court complaint.

Hatfield is scheduled to be in court for her jury trial beginning Oct. 3.