Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Man for Abandoning Child During Escape from Deputies

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) – The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended a man who allegedly abandoned his child in a vehicle while fleeing from deputies. Faquanta Urell Benjamin, 21, was arrested following the issuance of an arrest warrant.

On November 15, a Sumter County deputy noticed a car matching the description of a stolen vehicle. Upon confirming the information, the deputy made a U-turn and attempted to initiate a stop.

The driver, identified as Benjamin, attempted to evade the deputy by turning down Starview Drive and eventually stopping near Wentworth Court. At this point, the passenger exited the vehicle, carrying an infant, and fled from the scene.

The passenger, while evading the deputies, left the infant at a nearby residence before continuing their escape. Fortunately, the child was found and safely returned to their mother.

Following the incident, the deputy ordered Benjamin to exit the vehicle. After detaining him, law enforcement identified him as the driver. Further investigation revealed that the abandoned infant was the same child Benjamin had left during a traffic stop on November 6, where he had fled from the police.

During a thorough search of the vehicle, deputies discovered ten counterfeit $100 bills.

Benjamin is currently in custody at the Sumter County Detention Center and faces multiple charges including unlawful conduct toward a child by willfully abandoning and placing a child at risk of harm, possession of a stolen vehicle, and driving under suspension.

If you possess any information that could aid the deputies in their investigation, please contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at 803-436-2000 or utilize the Crimestoppers tips app.

Notice any spelling or grammar errors in this article? Click or tap here to report them. Please include the article’s headline.

Stay updated with WIS News 10. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and stream us on Roku, YouTube, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV.

.