Cops: Father threw baby over neighbor's fence

Richard Charlie Harris charged with aggravated child abuse

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – The father of a 4-month-old boy was arrested after investigators say he threw his infant son over a fence.

Winter Springs police said the incident began Thursday afternoon in the parking lot of the man's apartment complex.

Officers said residents called 911 to report the man was carrying his baby, screaming for help.

When police arrived, they said they found 31-year-old Richard Charlie Harris naked, sitting on a garbage can in the residential neighborhood behind the apartments.

They said his baby was missing.

Investigators asked neighbor Michele Reaves if they could search her property for the child.

"As we were approaching my backyard, we go to open the gate, and we hear a baby screaming at the top of his lungs," she said.

Reaves told News 6 an officer jumped over the fence, and found the 4-month-old laying face-down in a pile of leaves.

"He picked up the baby, he was patting him on the back," she said. "I recognized the baby. There was a couple who would usually walk down the road with their dog and their baby."

Reaves said she spent the night Thursday with the baby's mother at the hospital while doctors examined the child for any injuries.

He suffered only scrapes and bruises, police said.

Harris was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse, and was denied bond by a Seminole County judge on Friday.

Investigators said because Harris has a long criminal history, he could spend a long time in prison if he's convicted.  


About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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