Man arrested in East Pierce County after strangling girlfriend, kidnapping child
A 27-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly strangling his girlfriend and kidnapping their child.
According to a news release from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a call at about 9:19 a.m. Tuesday from a woman who claimed her boyfriend strangled her and then drove away with their 5-month-old child in the 15600 block of 40th Avenue East near Frederickson.
“The girlfriend reported the baby was not in a car seat and the suspect was holding the child in his lap while driving,” the release said. “... It was reported the male was suicidal and having a mental health episode.”
Deputies later found the man’s vehicle driving in the 8300 block of 229th St. Ct. E in Graham at 11:09 a.m., the release said. The man was on the phone with a family member and initially did not stop for police, but did after the family member encouraged him to do so.
The man was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, fourth-degree assault, second-degree child endangerment and reckless driving, the release said.
“The child was not injured and returned safely to its mother,” the release said. “This remains an active investigation.”
