FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 15, 2015
Southern Pines Police Department
Announces An Arrest For:
Assault on a Female, Resisting a Public Officer (two counts),
Second Degree Trespass and
Felony Child Abuse Causing Severe Bodily Injury.
The Southern Pines Police Department announces the arrest of Deontea Zequan Ray, 22 years of age of Southern Pines, North Carolina for Assault on a Female, Resisting a Public Officer (two counts), Second Degree Trespass and Felony Child Abuse Causing Severe Bodily Injury.
On Tuesday July 14, 2015, at approximately 9:45 am, the Southern Pines Police Department responded to the Highland Apartment complex located at 1650 Richards Street for a report of a disturbance. Officers received additional information that a six week old infant had been taken from the residence by a black male described as having “long dreadlocks.” The female victim in this incident additionally reported that she had been struck in the face with a closed fist by Deontea Zequan Ray and emotionally begged officers to “save her baby.”
Officers located a male fitting the description of the wanted suspect with an infant child at Timberlane Apartments, 188 Murray Hill Road in Southern Pines. This male was a passenger in a vehicle and gave a fictitious name to the investigating officer when questioned. While the officer investigated the fictitious name, the male passenger (Deontea Zequan Ray) exited the vehicle and proceeded to the rear of the Timberlane Apartment complex. At this time, the investigating officer confirmed the identity of Deontea Zequan Ray and determined there additionally was an outstanding warrant for his arrest for a previous assault on a female. Officers again observed Deontea Zequan Ray and the six week old infant after they had crossed a seven foot fence. The infant was on the ground with officers suspecting the infant had been dropped, or thrown over the fence. Communicating through the fence line, an officer spoke with Deontea Zequan Ray in an attempt to calm him down and prevent any further injury to the infant. Deontea Zequan Ray subsequently fled on foot holding the infant. Deontea Zequan Ray was then observed scaling a six foot chain link fence lined with barbed tips. Deontea Zequan Ray fell from this fence, while holding the infant in his arms. Deontea Zequan Ray was observed falling from the fence chest forward pinning the child between the chest of Deontea Zequan Ray and the hard dirt surface of the ground. Officers refrained from using a Taser to subdue Deontea Zequan Ray due to the close proximity of the infant child fearing further injury would occur to the child. A Southern Pines Police Officer again pleaded with Deontea Zequan Ray asking him to consider the injuries sustained by the infant and to surrender the infant and stop running. Deontea Zequan Ray again fled on foot holding the infant, fleeing to the rear of the Waffle House Resturant located at 1510 U.S. Highway 1 in Southern Pines, and attempted to hide in the brush behind the building. It was at this time officers were able to separate the infant from Deontea Zequan Ray who was subsequently placed into custody without further incident.
The six week old infant was found to be bloody and unresponsive. The infant was flown to a local area hospital for advanced medical treatment after initially being transported to Moore County Regional Hospital.
Deontea Zequan Ray was transported to the Southern Pines Police Department for processing. While being transported, Deontea Zequan Ray made an unsuccessful attempt to escape, first from the transporting vehicle and second from the temporary detention facility at the Southern Pines Police Department. While at the Southern Pines Police Department, Deontea Zequan Ray continued to engage in violent combative and self-destructive behavior prior to being transported to the Moore County Detention Facility.
In response to this incident, Chief Robert Temme said the following:
“In this unfortunate incident, members of the Southern Pines Police Department conspicuously distinguished themselves by acting with great courage, sound judgment, and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty in the face of immediate life-threatening peril to the six week old infant. Today, because of the professional actions of the Southern Pines Police Department, the juvenile victim in this incident is expected to make a full recovery. I fully anticipate presenting recognition awards to the officers who were involved in this case. Our community should be extremely proud of the Southern Pines Police Department today.”
Deontea Zequan Ray appeared before a Moore County Magistrate and was incarcerated in the Moore County Detention Facility under a $55,000 secured bond pending a hearing in Moore County District Court.
Contact: Captain Charles Campbell
(910) 692-2732
