Dash-cam footage released by authorities in Florida captured the dramatic moment officers apprehended a suspect wanted on child abuse charges, following a high-speed car chase.
Several squad cars from the Florida Highway Patrol can be seen perusing a vehicle driven by Clayton Pafford, 23, at speed in Tallahassee on May 7.
Pafford was wanted by police after he allegedly abused his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter, which led to the child being hospitalized with severe injuries.
Officer’s spotted Pafford’s car driving down Black Forrest Road last week and attempted to pull him over using a stop stick, but the accused swerved out of the way and into the direction of a deputy.
Police say Pafford refused to pull over and continued to try and invade officers onto Old Woodville Highway.
Clayton Pafford (left) was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest with violence, among other charges. The girl’s mother, Heather Reid (right), was arrested on child neglect charges
Several squad cars from the Florida Highway Patrol can be seen perusing a vehicle driven by Clayton Pafford, 23, at speed in Tallahassee on May 7
One patrol car can be seen turning sharply into the rear-left wheel of Pafford’s silver car, sending in spinning off of the road and bringing it to a stop among a line of trees
Eventually, deeming Pafford’s driving to be a danger to the surrounding public, officers made the decision to use a PIT maneuver to conclude the chase.
One patrol car can be seen turning sharply into the rear-left wheel of Pafford’s silver car, sending it spinning off of the road and bringing it to a stop among a line of trees at the roadside.
The University of Florida student was arrested soon after and charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse, fleeing and eluding, resisting arrest with violence, injuring a police dog, false imprisonment and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
The toddler’s mother, 26-year-old Heather Reid, was also arrested earlier the same day and charged with two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm.
Deputies from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office had been summoned to Reid’s home on the morning of May 6, to reports of possibly child abuse.
Upon arriving at the scene, police were advised that the two-year-old girl was in need of immediate medical attention.
Officers say Reid claimed her daughter has sustained a number of series injuries by falling down the stairs.
A police report shows the girl suffered a liver laceration, two brain bleeds and retinal hemorrhaging, which they believe was caused by Shaken Baby Syndrome.
The young girl was also found to have an ulcer form severe diaper rash, burn marks and a series of abrasions, bruises and scratches.
Police say Pafford refused to pull over and continued to try and invade officers onto Old Woodville Highway
A witness says he saw Pafford holding the child’s bloody and limp body in his arms, after hearing a ‘thud’ in the girls bedroom (pictured two days before the alleged assault)
Both Reid and Pafford admitted to noticing the child’s injuries and failing to report them, arrest documents show
Several of the injuries appeared to be older and in various stages of healing, doctors said.
According to a police summons, Pafford – who lived with the girl’s mother – had been watching the toddler while Reid was at the store.
A friend present at the property during the time recalls hearing a ‘thud’ come from the girl’s bedroom, as he was doing laundry downstairs.
Rushing up the stairs to investigate, the witness says he saw Pafford holding the child’s bloody and limp body in his arms.
‘What did you do?,’ the witness is said to have asked. But rather than respond, Pafford is said to have called out for Reid, instead of dialing 911 for help.
When the witness called for paramedics, Pafford reportedly became upset and said ‘I’m leaving. Don’t tell anyone I was here,’ before storming out of the home.
Pafford had left the scene before officers arrived. Members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Task Force and the Florida Highway Patrol conducted an over-night search for him, WCTV reported.
Reid had been out grocery shopping when when the witness found her daughter bloodied and limp, police say
He was spotted in his car the following day and arrested. Police say he refused to comply with their demands of surrender and a K-9 had to be used to help in getting him into custody.
A passenger was in the car at the time of his arrest, but authorities say he refused to let them get out.
Both Reid and Pafford admitted to noticing the child’s injuries and failing to report them, arrest documents show.
Deputies also say Pafford denied causing the child’s injuries, but did admit to fleeing the scene during a medical emergency.
The two-year-old girl remains in hospital being treated for her injuries.