In a disturbing incident in Memphis, a man has been charged with domestic assault after allegedly biting an infant’s face and creating a chaotic scene across several locations while claiming his life was in danger from his family, according to a Tennessee affidavit.
The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jerry L. Stark, was apprehended on May 1 after a series of events that culminated at a restaurant on North Hollywood Street, police reported.
Authorities were called to Memphis Wings shortly before 1 a.m. after receiving reports of Stark inside the establishment. Officers arrived to find him in a state of panic, shouting and clutching the infant.
Witnesses recounted that Stark had been frantically running around the neighborhood with the child, pleading for assistance and repeatedly yelling that his family was trying to kill him.
An affidavit, cited by Fox News Digital, details that Stark’s erratic behavior was observed at various spots, including two gas stations, before he finally headed south along North Hollywood Street toward the restaurant, still carrying the infant.
Before arriving at the restaurant, Stark was seen at multiple nearby locations, including two gas stations, where witnesses said he was carrying the infant and behaving erratically. He then ran southbound along North Hollywood Street toward the restaurant, still holding the child.
Inside the business, witnesses said, Stark laid down on the kitchen floor with the infant while continuing to shout for help. Several people attempted to intervene after noticing the child appeared to be in distress, telling police the infant was being squeezed and began turning blue.
One witness told police that when Stark was asked what was wrong, he said, “My family is trying to kill me.”
Police responded to this Memphis Wings restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, where a man was accused of biting an infant during a chaotic incident, according to an affidavit. (Google Maps)
During the encounter, witnesses reported that Stark bit the child on the right side of the face. Witnesses were eventually able to remove the infant from his custody and fled the business before calling police, the affidavit states.
A video posted to social media by a witness appears to show Stark inside the restaurant as several people held the door shut to prevent him from leaving. Those holding the door can be heard threatening Stark if he attempted to flee.
The person who shared the video wrote, “Seeing that baby face really broke my heart. I can’t even sleep thinking about that baby. The devil is busy but god always on time.”
Memphis Police Department patrol car parked on a street in Memphis, Tennessee. (Brad Vest/Getty Images)
The infant was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital with a facial injury and was listed in non-critical condition.
The child’s mother told officers that earlier in the night Stark had pushed her out of a moving vehicle while they were driving, though police said they did not observe any visible injuries.
Stark was taken into custody at the scene and transported to 201 Poplar Ave. The incident remains under investigation.
Jail records show Stark is being held without bond because it has not yet been assessed. He is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Monday.
