A car chase that involved the Arkansas State Police ended in a crash, and footage captured a shocking moment when a small child emerged from the wrecked car and ran toward officers.
Dash cam footage documented the chase that took place in Joiner, Arkansas, on May 2, and showed a Dodge Charger refusing to pull over as the officer chased it, according to footage shared by KARE 11. The Charger was then seen veering off the road until it eventually rolled over into an embankment.
The vehicle was in the embankment for several minutes before the back door of the upside-down Charger opened and the officer was heard instructing the driver to exit the vehicle with their hands up. “My baby’s coming out first!” the driver, who has since been identified as Thalia Jones, responded.
A toddler was then seen running away from the car and making their way toward the officers.
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“Come stay right here. You’re OK, come right here baby,” the officer said to the child, per the footage.
The officer then directed a question at Jones, 23, and asked, “Is it just you? Why did you run from me with a baby in the car?”
The woman was ordered to exit the vehicle and to crawl toward the officer. Soon after, the woman got out of the car and seemingly struggled to make her way toward the troopers.
“That was the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen,” the trooper said. “You could’ve killed your own child.”
Jones was then handcuffed as the officer told her that she was going 80 miles, which was significantly faster than the 55 mph speed limit. The driver then explained that she tried to get away because she doesn’t have a license.
“That’s why you ran from me? You ran from me because you don’t have a license? You almost killed your kid, do you understand me?” the trooper said.
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The child was evaluated and appeared to not be hurt, and he was reportedly released into the custody of another adult at the scene.
Jones was hit with several charges for the incident, including speeding, reckless driving and child endangerment, according to KATV.
Police said that the vehicle belongs to Jones’ boyfriend, and the incident has since been reported to the Child Abuse Hotline.
It is not currently clear if Jones has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest. The Arkansas State Police did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the situation.
