A routine phone call from a sharp police sergeant turned what could have been a dangerous highway chase into a safe rescue for an eight-week-old boy in Georgia. It all started when Fulton County officers got a frantic call around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday about a physical fight breaking out at the Fulton County Elections Hub.
When police arrived at the Campbellton Fairburn Road facility, they met a county employee who was visibly bruised and upset. She told officers that her child’s father, Richard Benton, had just physically assaulted her inside the government center. To make matters worse, Benton snatched her cellphone and drove off with their eight-week-old baby boy.
With a suspect on the run with an infant, Fulton County Police Sergeant Jonathan Lyons took charge of the search effort. Knowing that high-speed pursuits with a baby in the car can turn deadly fast, Sergeant Lyons tried a different tactic. He dialed the victim’s stolen cellphone, betting that Benton would answer.
The gamble paid off when Benton picked up the phone while speeding down the highway. Instead of barking orders or making threats, Sergeant Lyons spoke with a calm, steady voice. He kept the focus entirely on the baby’s safety, explaining that nobody wanted the child placed in harm’s way.
Sergeant Lyons stayed on the line, slowly talking Benton down and talking him out of staying on the interstate. The officer persuaded the suspect to pull over at a designated, neutral location where police could meet him without causing a scene or putting the baby in danger.
Benton listened to the sergeant and agreed to head toward the College Park MARTA station. Officers flooded the transit hub, spotting Benton’s vehicle as it pulled into the area. They moved in swiftly and arrested Benton without further incident, making sure he was handcuffed before securing the infant.
First responders verified that the eight-week-old boy was unhurt and healthy despite the terrifying situation. Officers then reunited the child with his mother, bringing a peaceful end to a chaotic afternoon that could have ended in tragedy.
Benton remains in police custody while detectives finish gathering evidence from the scene at the elections hub. Fulton County authorities confirmed that criminal charges are pending against Benton as the active investigation moves forward.
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