Man Accused Of Taking Infant During Fulton Domestic Incident

FAIRBURN, GA — An 8-week-old infant was safely found after being taken by his father following a domestic incident at a county elections office, Fulton County Police said Tuesday.

Officers responded around 12:30 p.m. to the Campbellton Fairburn Road elections hub after being notified of a physical dispute in progress, police said.

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When they arrived, police said a county worker told officers she had been physically assaulted by Richard Benton, the father of her 8-week-old child.

Following the incident, Benton was accused of leaving the scene with the infant and the worker's cell phone.

A police sergeant was able to get in contact with Benton and negotiate his surrender, police said. When speaking to Benton, police said the sergeant "emphasized that the immediate priority was the safety and well-being of the infant."

Benton told the sergeant he was traveling on the highway, and the sergeant told him to safely pull over and stay at his location, police said. Benton said he was at the College Park MARTA station, where he agreed to wait for officers, police said.

Officers immediately responded and found Benton and the infant, police said.

Benton was taken into custody without incident, and the child was reunited with his mother, police said.

Fulton County Jail records showed Benton faces charges of battery, kidnapping, false imprisonment and third-degree cruelty to children. He remained incarcerated Wednesday.