Easley Man Charged After Wife Injured, Baby Taken

An Easley man faces multiple charges after police say he assaulted a woman, led police in a chase, and endangered the life of a baby.

Johnny Edwards Jr., 38, of 119 Tadpole Lane, is being charged with first-degree burglary, criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, trespassing after notice, unlawful conduct towards a child, failure to stop for police, child endangerment, and resisting arrest.

Pickens County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a trespassing call on Ridgefield Circle in Easley on Tuesday where they found a woman bleeding from wounds to her head standing in the driveway of the home. The woman told police her husband had taken her baby, according to a statement.

Deputies said they spotted Edwards carrying an infant down the street and he ignored commands and got into an SUV. A deputy attempted to block Edwards using a patrol vehicle but he drove around him and attempted to flee. As a second deputy blocked the roadway Edwards dangled the infant out an open door of his vehicle in attempt to make the deputies back off, officials said.

Deputies said Edwards left the scene but was not speeding or driving erratically. After deputies made telephone contact with Edwards he was convinced to pull over and turn the infant over at a gas station in Marietta. Edwards then fled the scene again, officials said.

Later in the evening, Edwards called the Sheriff's Office requesting to meet with the deputy who took possession of his child. When the deputy arrived, Edwards fled the scene again. Officers with the Department of Natural Resources assisting the Sheriff's Office followed Edwards.

During the pursuit Edwards used his vehicle to strike the DNR officer's vehicle several times, according to the statement.

Edwards later called the Sheriff's Office explaining that he wanted to surrender as he continued to lead DNR officers in a chase. Once Edwards crossed back into Pickens County deputies took over the pursuit. Edwards soon pulled over near Beaver Pond Road where deputies took him into custody.

Edwards is being held at the Pickens County Detention Center. His bond has not been set.