FARGO - A Fargo man is charged with felony child abuse after allegedly abandoning his baby in a stroller while he was being chased by police.
Kenneth Eagleman, 26, of Fargo, was charged Tuesday in Cass County District Court with one count of Class C felony child abuse or neglect.
According to documents filed in the case:
Just after 3 p.m. Monday, a Wal-Mart security officer reported that Eagleman - who had been barred from being at the store and was wanted on arrest warrants - was at the Wal-Mart on 13th Avenue South.
The store worker gave police Eagleman's description and location and said he was pushing a stroller.
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Officer Zach Messmer saw Eagleman pushing the stroller in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield parking lot and pulled up his squad car to instruct Eaglemen to stop. Eagleman said he hadn't done anything and kept going.
When Messmer yelled at him to stop again, Eagleman allegedly took off running and left the child, a 2-year-old girl, in the business's driveway. Police allege he led officers on a foot chase through at least three city blocks and heavy traffic on 45th Street.
Eventually, a worker at Scheels grabbed the fleeing Eagleman and held him for arresting officers.
When taken to jail, Eagleman told officers he knew about the warrants and figured he'd be going to jail whether or not he left the child behind, according to court records.
Eagleman is set to appear in court Sept. 3.
He's also charged in Fargo Municipal Court with resisting arrest, a Class B misdemeanor.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Emily Welker at (701) 241-5541
