Ohio man accused of kidnapping, fatally shooting ex’s baby and crashing car into house
07/17/2023 1:18 pm PDT
TIFFIN, Ohio (TCD) -- A 23-year-old man faces charges after allegedly abducting his ex-girlfriend’s 7-month-old child, fatally shooting her, and leading police on a chase last month.
The Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office announced that on Wednesday, July 12, a grand jury indicted Jonathan Baker on charges of kidnapping and aggravated murder. He faces up to 11 to 16 1/2 years for kidnapping and up to life in prison without the possibility for parole for aggravated murder.
The Prosecutor’s Office noted that jurors "reserved the right to issue a superseding indictment for aggravated murder charges which could result in the death penalty."
According to the Tiffin Police Department, on June 27, Baker and his ex-girlfriend got into a dispute before he allegedly abducted her baby from North Baltimore and left in his vehicle, a yellow Camaro. Baker reportedly made statements about harming the baby, and the Tiffin Police Department received a BOLO (be on the lookout) alert from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
Baker’s ex-girlfriend was able to track his location with her phone, which helped law enforcement find him, WTVG-TV reports. Police reportedly believed he was armed because his location details revealed that he was at a Findlay firearms store earlier that day.
According to WTVG, during the 911 call, Baker called his ex and was heard stating, "Anything you’d like to say to me before I say my goodbyes?"
Baker’s ex-girlfriend then allegedly begged Baker to return her child, and he said he had killed the baby.
An off-duty Tiffin Police officer reportedly located Baker’s vehicle and followed him, providing location details to other law enforcement officials.
Police said Baker turned south on South Sandusky Street near Cottage Avenue and Ella Street. Seneca County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Tiffin Police officers responded to the area and tried to perform a traffic stop, but Baker allegedly accelerated and "erratically drove off the roadway."
Baker reportedly sped onto a front yard and crashed into a home on South Sandusky Street, pushing it off its foundation. No one was in the home during the crash.
According to police, officers and Seneca County Sheriff’s Office deputies surrounded Baker’s Camaro, broke the back window, and found the 7-month-old baby bleeding from the head and struggling with shortness of breath.
Tiffin Fire and Rescue also responded to the area and transported Baker and the infant to Tiffin Mercy Hospital via ambulance. The baby died from her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. Baker was transported from Tiffin Mercy Hospital to Toledo St. Vincent’s Hospital by air in critical condition.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the Lucas County Coroner’s Office determined the baby was shot twice, and she died from the wounds.
Inside Baker’s car, police said detectives recovered a loaded firearm and two spent cartridges.
Upon medical clearance, officials booked Baker into the Seneca County Jail on Saturday, July 15, records show. He remains held without bail.
Tiffin Chief of Police David Pauly said in a statement, "My heart breaks for the family of this innocent child and you can be sure this matter will be investigated thoroughly to determine exactly why and what occurred today."
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