INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 32-year-old man who authorities said led deputies on a chase and later threw his 2-month-old child at one of the officers, was jailed Tuesday.
The baby was caught in mid-air by a deputy, reports show. It was unclear if the child was seriously hurt. Deputies said the baby was inside the car during the entire police chase.
John Henry James III
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Deputies arrested John Henry James III, of the 4700 block of 39th Avenue, Gifford, on two counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of battery on officer, aggravated battery on officer, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest with violence, and reckless driving.
Deputies last Wednesday tried to stop a white Nissan Rouge in the 8800 block of 20th Street. The Nissan driver, later identified as James, failed to stay in the correct travel lane, reports show.
Deputies turned on their lights and sirens, but James continued driving into the Gifford area. James turned onto 49th Street and drove at a high rate of speed, reports show.
A sheriff’s helicopter assisted patrol deputies in tracking the Nissan. Deputies tried to disable the Nissan by bumping the back of the vehicle, but were unsuccessful, reports show.
James then struck an unmarked sheriff’s patrol car at 46th Place and 40th Avenue, deputies said. Deputies threw out stop sticks, which slowly flattened the tires on the Nissan.
Deputies said James drove into the Taylor Pointe Apartments and traveled to the back of the complex. Then, James got out of the Nissan while holding his child by the arm.
Deputies chased James around the back of one of the apartment buildings. Then, James turned around and threw his child at one of the deputies, reports show.
Deputies detained James, then brought him to a nearby fire station after they noticed he had cuts to his face and after he said he was unable to breathe. James kicked a deputy in the face and another in the leg while he was on a gurney, reports show.
Deputies tied James’ feet together, gave him a sedative and then took him to a nearby hospital. James remained at the hospital until he was booked into the county jail.
James was ordered to not have any contact with his child. It was unclear who took custody of the baby.
James has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. July 16, court records show.
