PANAMA CITY — A local man has been arrested on several charges, including child abuse, after allegedly crashing his car with a 3-year-old girl inside during a police pursuit, according to a Panama City Police Department news release.
Jonathan Clifford Griggs, 34, was arrested Tuesday at about 11:15 p.m. after a foot chase led police to a home where he’d fled following the crash, police reported. He now faces seven counts of child abuse, one count of child neglect, two counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated fleeing and eluding, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash, as well as numerous civil traffic violations.
Officers initially attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Millville area when it fled and a pursuit ensued. At the corner of Sixth Street and Kraft Avenue, the driver — identified as Griggs — crashed his car into a semi-tractor trailer, causing extensive, disabling damage to the vehicle, PCPD reported.
Griggs also had his 3-year-old child in the car with him, possibly unsecured in the front seat, police said. He then allegedly took the child from the vehicle and fled on foot, running and carrying the child. Witnesses told officers he fell on the child in the street several times while running toward the Springfield city limits, police reported.
Witnesses chased Griggs until he entered a yard with several young children. He allegedly turned and threatened to shoot the witnesses as he threw the child over a chain-link fence, officers said. He then entered the residence where several children were present and forced them inside, police reported.
The adult occupants of the home did not know him or consent to his entry, and they allowed PCPD officers and Springfield Police officers into the home, where they apprehended Griggs, PCPD reported..
Officers say they seized a large amount of currency and some marijuana from Griggs at that time and also found marijuana packaged for sale in his totaled vehicle, along with loose currency strewn about, police said.
EMS responded to ascertain the welfare of the child involved in the crash. She later was turned over to DCF.
PCPD said the investigation continues. Anyone having information on the case is urged to call the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100, or they can report their tips anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 850-785-TIPS (8477).