Georgia father arrested after baby found crawling on road

MADISON COUNTY, Georgia -- Police have arrested the father of a 1-year-old girl discovered crawling on a busy road in Madison County. An Elberton man driving by spotted the baby around 10 a.m. on Friday.

Reports say that he saw the child moving along the highway, at which point he got out of his car and picked her up. He put the baby in his car and called authorities.

The baby was crawling down the highway for over an hour, officials say, during which she tumbled down a 15-foot embankment nearby. She was reported to have scratches and insect bites.

Allegedly, Timothy Pickens, 37, showed up at the scene where deputies were investigating, yelling, "That's my child!" Deputies say while Pickens was attempting to reach the man holding his child, he pushed a deputy and was arrested.

Police report the mother of the child entered the scene and told authorities that she and her husband had asked their other children, ages thirteen, nine, and five to look after the baby. She also told police that she had gone outside for only an hour, returned to find the child missing, and promptly called 911, officers state.

A worker from the Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS) arrived and granted the child to be released to the mother in order for her to seek medical attention for the baby.

The father was brought to jail and charged with cruelty to children, reckless conduct and obstruction.

The mother is expected to face charges as well, according to police.