A Tennessee man has been arrested after allegedly biting his infant son during a public outburst at a Memphis chicken wing restaurant, leading to widespread shock and outrage. Witnesses say they saw the infant’s skin on the man’s lips, and the incident has garnered significant attention on social media.
The Incident at Memphis Wings
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. at Memphis Wings, located at 2661 North Hollywood Street. Authorities were called to the restaurant after a disturbing altercation involving Jerry Stark, 34, and his infant son. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by WREG, Stark was seen screaming and panicking inside the restaurant when officers arrived.
The Timeline of Events
Before the restaurant altercation, Stark was seen at nearby Shell and Marathon gas stations, holding his child and asking for help, according to witnesses. Stark then reportedly ran into the restaurant, still carrying the baby, and began acting erratically. Witnesses say he got down on the kitchen floor and tightened his grip on the child until he turned blue. At some point during the chaotic scene, Stark allegedly bit the infant on the cheek.
Witnesses outside the restaurant captured the tense moments on video, where they can be heard shouting, “The baby’s skin is on his lips and cheek!” One of the witnesses posted the footage on Facebook, where it quickly gained over 1 million views. One witness commented, “Seeing that baby face really broke my heart. I can’t even sleep thinking about that baby. The devil is busy.”
Paramedics and Investigation
The paramedics quickly arrived at the scene and rushed the infant to a local hospital. The child was treated for noncritical facial injuries and was later reported to be in stable condition.
The child’s mother told investigators that earlier in the day, Stark had allegedly pushed her out of a moving vehicle and then drove off with their son. This information is part of the ongoing investigation into the family’s troubling circumstances.
Stark’s Arrest and Charges
When questioned by police, Stark allegedly claimed that his family was trying to kill him and that he needed help escaping them. Following the altercation, Stark was arrested and charged with domestic assault causing bodily harm. He was taken into custody and booked into Shelby County Jail.
Court Appearance and Community Reaction
Stark is scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning. The disturbing nature of the incident has left the community shaken, and many are still grappling with the severity of the actions that took place in front of witnesses.
This case highlights the need for immediate intervention in cases of domestic violence and child abuse, with police and witnesses stepping in to prevent further harm to the infant. The public’s outcry over the video footage underscores the collective concern for vulnerable children in difficult family situations.
