Man Throws 4-Month-Old Baby In Car Seat To The Ground After Assaulting Girlfriend

A 25-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly threw his girlfriend and her baby out of a car Saturday and led authorities on a car chase through multiple towns in Rhode Island.

Elijah Laferriere, of Fall River, Massachusetts, appeared before court Monday on charges including domestic assault, child cruelty, eluding law enforcement and drug possession, WJAR reported, citing police.

According to police, Laferriere had thrown his girlfriend, identified by The Valley Breeze as Nicole Rodier, and the car seat containing her 4-month-old son out of his car on the side of the highway near the Dowling Village Taco Bell in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, following an argument between the couple. He then allegedly fled before authorities could arrive.

"Something happened in the car, some sort of confrontation. He pulled off to the side. He ripped her out of the car by her shirt and I believe her hair. Threw her to the ground. Ripped the seat and threw the car seat to the ground," North Smithfield Police Department chief Tim Lafferty was quoted as saying by WJAR.

Witnesses assisted Rodier and the child, as per The Valley Breeze. The baby did not sustain any significant injuries as the car seat landed on its side, police said. Rodier, meanwhile, suffered minor injuries.

Following the incident, police put out notices to other departments to be on the lookout for Laferriere. He was spotted at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday in Woonsocket by police and did not stop when authorities attempted to pull over, prompting a chase.

The ensuing car chase saw police go through North Smithfield, Lincoln, down Route 146, through North Providence and finally into Cranston, where Laferriere was apprehended. Police said the chase ended when Laferriere allegedly drove across a yard on Park Avenue and hit a tree and fence, before crashing into another tree around the corner.

Laferriere was evaluated for injuries at Landmark Medical Center before being taken to North Smithfield police. He was held at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston until his Monday arraignment.

Police said Laferriere also had two outstanding warrants for his arrest on unrelated assault charges, a report by WLNE said.

"He is no stranger to crime, specifically domestic crime, assault against women," Lafferty was quoted as saying by WJAR.

It was not clear if Laferriere was the biological father of the child.