A Walnut Ridge man is in custody at the Lawrence County Detention Center following an incident involving an alleged assault and child endangerment, according to local authorities.
Police responded to reports of a physical altercation in an alley behind Main Street Pizza in Walnut Ridge. Upon arrival, officers observed a man fleeing the scene on a bicycle. The individual was later identified as Emani Toussaint. Officers attempted to stop Toussaint, but he evaded police and continued riding away.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities learned that Toussaint had been involved in an altercation with another man at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The victim reportedly sustained significant injuries in the incident. According to the victim’s account, he was attacked from behind and placed in a chokehold. Surveillance footage confirmed the victim's statement, police said.
In the course of their investigation, officers discovered that Toussaint had also been responsible for the care of four young children, ranging in age from four months to six years, at a residence on Northeast Second Street. Toussaint had allegedly left the children unattended while the events transpired.
Toussaint was eventually apprehended and faces multiple charges, including fleeing, aggravated assault, and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. No further information was immediately available as of Wednesday.