A Tuesday morning domestic violence call in East Pierce County turned into a terrifying car ride for a 5-month-old baby, authorities say. A 27-year-old man was arrested after Pierce County deputies say he strangled his girlfriend in Frederickson, then drove off with their infant in the car. Deputies later tracked him down in Graham, arrested him, and returned the baby unharmed to the mother, leaving neighbors and family members scrambling for answers.
What deputies say happened
Deputies were dispatched at about 9:19 a.m. Tuesday after a woman reported that her boyfriend had strangled her and taken their baby from the 15600 block of 40th Avenue East near Frederickson, according to The News Tribune. She told dispatch that the 5-month-old was not in a car seat and that the man was holding the child in his lap while driving. She also reported that he was suicidal and experiencing a mental-health episode.
Deputies later found the vehicle and arrested the 27-year-old on suspicion of kidnapping, fourth-degree assault, second-degree child endangerment and reckless driving, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office release summarized in local reports.
Charges and legal stakes
The Pierce County release said the man was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, fourth-degree assault, second-degree child endangerment and reckless driving. Kidnapping is defined under state code in RCW 9A.40, and criminal mistreatment and child endangerment are covered in RCW 9A.42.030. Fourth-degree assault is the lowest level of assault under RCW 9A.36.041, while reckless driving penalties are set in RCW 46.61.500.
How deputies stopped the car
Pierce County deputies say they located the man’s vehicle in the 8300 block of 229th Street Court East in Graham just after 11 a.m. The driver initially refused to stop, but a family member eventually persuaded him to pull over, according to The News Tribune. The department’s release said the child was unharmed and reunited with the mother at the scene. Detectives described the investigation as ongoing.
Wider context and resources
The arrest follows other recent domestic violence kidnapping cases in East Pierce County, including a Parkland arrest reported in early May. For anyone affected by domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 and online at thehotline.org. Community members with tips can consult Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound’s tip resources at Crime Stoppers.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and asked anyone with information to contact detectives or submit anonymous tips. Booking and charging decisions will be left to prosecutors as the case moves forward.
