Man abandoned toddler in Arkansas as he fled authorities, police say

Kenneth Brooks, 24
Kenneth Brooks, 24

A man has been arrested after abandoning a 16-month-old as he fled on foot from authorities in Arkansas who were responding to a vehicle with illegal tags, police say.

Kenneth Brooks, 24, faces charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, fleeing and possession of a controlled substance, according to a statement from the Texarkana Police Department.

Brooks' listed address during booking was for the Miller County jail. It was not immediately clear whether he is from Arkansas.

Around 1 a.m. Thursday, officers noticed a vehicle leaving Knights Inn Motel in the 5100 block of North State Line Avenue in Texarkana with fake and expired vehicle tags.

A small child was observed standing up in the back seat of the vehicle as officers responded, according to authorities.

Brooks, who was holding the child as he got out of the vehicle, sat the toddler down on the pavement and fled from officers, the statement reads.

A foot chase ensued before authorities eventually arrested the 24-year-old at a nearby apartment complex, police said.

The toddler was placed into the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services after authorities tried locating a relative.

Brooks remained at the Miller County jail as of Thursday morning, according to an inmate roster.

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