SCSO: Father arrested after fleeing Sumter County traffic stop while allegedly leaving child in stolen vehicle

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– The man accused of leaving his baby inside a rolling vehicle while running from law enforcement has been arrested.

Sumter County deputies say 21-year-old Faquanta Benjamin was arrested after he was seen driving a stolen vehicle and fleeing from deputies.

Benjamin is accused of attempting to avoid the deputy before turning down Starview Drive and stopping near Wentworth Court.

Investigators say when the vehicle stopped a passenger got out of the vehicle and ran away with a child in their hands.

The passenger ran from deputies with Benjamin’s child and left the infant at a home in the area before continuing to run from deputies, said investigators.

The child was later identified as the same child authorities say Benjamin left in a rolling vehicle on Nov.6 while avoiding a traffic stop.

The child was found and safely returned to its mother.

Benjamin faces several charges while authorities look for additional suspects.