– Man charged with kidnapping and assault
– Alleged holding child’s mother captive.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man has been arrested and is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and kidnapping, after allegedly holding his child and the child’s mother captive.
22-year-old Taraji Ward is currently in custody and has been charged with domestic assault, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, and possession of a firearm during the commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony.
The incident occurred on Friday at 2:45 a.m. when an officer responded to a domestic violence call on South Perkins Road. The victim informed the officer that Ward, the father of her child, had picked her up from her residence earlier in the day.
While driving to Walmart, Ward allegedly made threatening remarks and pointed a black handgun at both the victim and their child, who was in the backseat.
Ward then drove to East Memphis and, at a stoplight, the victim tried to escape the vehicle. However, Ward forcibly prevented her from leaving by grabbing her shirt and hair.
The situation escalated when Ward parked on Edgefield Drive and proceeded to physically assault the victim by repeatedly striking her in the face with the handgun. The victim sustained several injuries, including a laceration above her right eye, swelling on the left cheek, a red left eye, a busted lip, and a knot on the back of her head.
Despite the severity of her injuries, the victim’s attempts to flee were met with further threats and intimidation from Ward, who allegedly fell asleep with the gun in his lap, preventing her from escaping.
Subsequently, Ward drove the victim to S. Orleans Street and threatened her by stating that he would treat her similarly to his previous partner.
As Ward attempted to re-enter the vehicle, the victim took the opportunity to drive away and seek help. She eventually met her mother in East Memphis, who then contacted the authorities.
Upon the officer’s arrival, photos of the victim’s injuries were taken, and the firearm was confiscated from the vehicle and tagged as evidence.
Ward was apprehended later that day and is currently in police custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
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1. Man charged with kidnapping and assault after allegedly holding child’s mother captive
2. Man accused of kidnapping and assault for holding child’s mother hostage.
