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WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Treasure Coast News - POLICE: Father crashes car in police pursuit with unsecured infant in front seat

POLICE: Father crashes car in police pursuit with unsecured infant in front seat

By Scott T. Smith/CBS12.com
FORT PIERCE, Fla. -- A 27-year-old suspect was arrested Wednesday night after police tried to stop him for speeding and he fled at high speed, crashing with an unsecured infant -- his own child -- in the car's front seat and packaged marijuana in the glove box.

Fort Pierce Police report an officer was radar checking cars for speed on South 13th Street at Nebraska Avenue when a silver 2001 Honda sedan sped by at 43 mph in a 25 mph zone. The officer followed and tried to pull the driver over in a pursuit over several blocks, but ended it when the driver went through a red light at 25th Street and Okeechobee Road, according to the officer's incident report. The driver crashed at 25th Street and Delaware Avenue, with the suspect bailing out and running. The officer lost sight of him.

Returning to the crash scene, the officer found a baby in an unsecured rear-facing car seat on the front passenger side of the car. Described as about 4 months old, the baby was alert and crying. Fort Pierce Fire Rescue arrived and took the child to Lawnwood Medical Center ER for treatment. The child's condition wasn't immediately available.

The suspect was apprehended later by another officer transporting a juvenile into jail custody. After reportedly giving a false name, police identified the suspect via fingerprints as Kent C. Canty, of 2513 Tropic Blvd.

A witness reported to police that Canty was hiding in bushes outside a Walgreens and asked to trade shirts with him in the time following the crash before he was apprehended.

Searching the wrecked car's glove box for registration information, police found a plastic bag containing marijuana packaged in smaller amounts totaling 45.5 grams.

Canty is held on multiple charges, including fleeing/eluding, reckless driving causing damage, driving on a suspended license, child neglect and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. He also had three outstanding warrants in St. Lucie County, including felony domestic battery. Police said he has two driver license numbers under the names Canty and Candy, and both are suspended or revoked.

Police report Canty refused to speak and smelled of alcohol, saying he didn't know what was going on. He wouldn't identify the infant's mother. Police found the mother via the wrecked car's registration, and she confirmed Canty is the child's father.POLICE: Father crashes car in police pursuit with unsecured infant in front seat

Thursday, September 6 2012, 03:16 PM EDT

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