A Tennessee man has been arrested after police say he ran through multiple businesses carrying an infant before allegedly biting the child on the face during a disturbing late-night incident in Memphis.
According to investigators, 34-year-old Jerry L. Stark now faces domestic assault charges following the terrifying ordeal, which unfolded across several locations before ending inside a restaurant on North Hollywood Street.
Police say officers were called to Memphis Wings shortly before 1am after reports of a frantic man screaming while holding a baby. Witnesses told investigators Stark had been running through nearby businesses and gas stations asking for help while repeatedly claiming his family was trying to kill him.
According to an affidavit obtained by Fox News, Stark was allegedly seen carrying the infant through at least two gas stations before running southbound toward the restaurant. Witnesses described him as panicked, erratic, and visibly distressed.
Inside the restaurant, the situation reportedly escalated dramatically.
Witnesses claimed Stark laid down on the kitchen floor while clutching the infant tightly. Several bystanders became alarmed after noticing the baby appeared to be struggling to breathe and turning blue. When people attempted to intervene and remove the child from his arms, police say Stark allegedly bit the infant on the right side of the face.
One witness reportedly told police Stark repeatedly screamed: “My family is trying to kill me.”
Bystanders eventually managed to pull the infant away and fled the business before calling authorities. Video circulating on social media appears to show people holding the restaurant doors shut while Stark remained inside. One person who shared the footage wrote that seeing the baby’s injuries “broke my heart.”
The infant was transported to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital with facial injuries. Authorities said the child was listed in non-critical condition and is expected to recover.
In another disturbing twist, the child’s mother reportedly told officers Stark had pushed her out of a moving vehicle earlier that night before driving away with the infant. Police noted they did not observe visible injuries on the woman at the time.
Stark was arrested at the scene and transported to jail, where records reportedly show he is currently being held without bond pending assessment. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
The shocking case has sparked outrage online, with many social media users praising the restaurant staff and bystanders who stepped in to save the child before the situation became even worse.
