Dad flees police, leaving unrestrained 6-month-old baby in car (Fort Pierce, Florida)

Check out dad KENT CANTY's rap sheet. Whatta prince....

Not clear whether Mom got custody back.

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/sep/06/fort-pierce-man-flees-police-leaving-baby-inside/

Fort Pierce man flees police, leaving baby inside car

By Elliott Jones TCPalm

Posted September 6, 2012 at 4:36 p.m.

FORT PIERCE — A 27-year-old father eluding police crashed his car and fled, leaving his unrestrained 6-month-old child crying in the front seat on Wednesday night. Officers found the man as he came out of hiding nearby in bushes outside a Walgreen's store on 25th Street at 7:37 p.m. Wednesday. A person at the store said the father asked him to exchange shirts.

Initially the driver gave officers the wrong name and age and said he didn't know what was going on, according to police reports. Officers took the baby to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute for examination and found the mother by reading the car's registration.

The baby was unharmed and was released to a relative.

"Leaving a child is unconscionable," said Police Sgt. Dennis McWilliams.

While searching for the registration, officers found 40 grams of marijuana in the car's glove compartment, police reports said. It was packed in small bags tied in knots, similar to what is done when marijuana is sold, police said.

Through fingerprint records, officers learned the man is Kent Canty, 27, of Fort Pierce, who was wanted on charges of driving on a suspended license and domestic battery. Now he's also charged with fleeing from police, reckless driving, child neglect, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, driving on a suspended license for a third time and violation of probation.

"Obviously this is someone who does not have his priorities straight," McWilliams said.

The crash occurred after police started following him because he was traveling at 43 mph in a 25 mph zone on 13th Street. He allegedly refused to stop and turned onto Virginia Avenue while gradually going faster. He ran a red light on Okeechobee Road and the officer backed off and notified 911. Finally the car crashed into another car at Delaware Avenue, bashing in the front of Canty's silver-colored vehicle, according to reports.

He is being held in the St. Lucie County jail in lieu of a $66,500 bail.