A 39-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly choking a toddler. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged child abuse.
“Extremely concerning” allegations have been made against a man accused of choking a toddler in front of police.
Early on Sunday morning (18 May), officers allegedly saw a 39-year-old man driving a grey Mercedes sedan along Northbourne Avenue without headlights while using his mobile phone, an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
After they pulled the car over, police allegedly saw that a female passenger had an 18-month-old toddler in her lap and the man refused to step out of the vehicle.
He allegedly tried to drive forward, and police gained access to the car to arrest him.
It is alleged the man then grabbed the toddler around its neck.
“After negotiating with the man and woman, they eventually exited the vehicle,” the police spokesperson said.
“ACT Ambulance Services attended to check the welfare of the child and police were eventually able to arrest the man and woman.”
After the man was taken to the ACT Watch House, he allegedly tried to escape custody but was apprehended before he could flee.
He was charged with choking, unlicensed driving, driving with an unrestrained child, possessing a drug of dependence and attempting to escape custody.
He faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (19 May), where Magistrate Amy Begby ordered him to be taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.
She said the allegations in the matter were “extremely concerning” and “there does seem to be some strange behaviour on the part of the defendant”.
The man will return to court after the assessment is completed. He is not named to avoid identifying the child.
The woman was charged with hindering a territory public official and was scheduled to face court at a later date.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
You seem nice. View