GIFFORD — Deputies released footage of a police chase that they said ended with a man tossing his 2-month-old child at a deputy in the parking lot of an apartment complex.
Indian River County deputies made the 14-minute clip – containing dashboard camera and helicopter video – public on Friday. A deputy caught the child in mid-air; it was unclear if the baby boy was seriously hurt.
The footage shows a deputy holding the baby as several other deputies try to detain John Henry James III. Deputies said James was kicking and biting when officers placed him in custody.
Video provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
James, 32, of the 4700 block of 39th Avenue, Gifford, was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of battery on an officer, aggravated battery on an officer, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest with violence and reckless driving. James was held Friday at the Indian River County Jail without bond.
John Henry James III
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The incident occurred May 26 when deputies tried to stop a white Nissan Rouge that they said failed to stay in the correct travel lane. The Nissan driver, James, did not stop and traveled into Gifford at high speed, reports show.
Dashboard footage shows James run several stop signs and almost strike another vehicle. In the clip, other cars swerve off the roadway as the Nissan speeds down the street.
Deputies said James then drove into Taylor Pointe Apartments off 49th Street and drove to the back of the complex. James got out of the Nissan while holding his child by the arm, reports show.
A woman can be heard in the video yelling, “He got a baby.”
Helicopter footage zoomed out appears to show James running and tossing the child at a deputy. Deputies detained James as a crowd gathered nearby.
James has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. July 16, court records show.