Police: Child neglect charge for man who fled traffic stop

PALM SPRINGS, Fla., July 29 (UPI) -- Police in Florida said a man was charged with child neglect when he attempted to flee from a traffic stop with his 6-year-old son in the back seat.

The Palm Springs Public Safety Department said an officer attempted to pull over a silver Chevrolet driven by Alexander Handel Webster, 29, around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday for failing to completely stop at an intersection, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Monday.

Police said Webster crashed into some shrubs about two blocks from the attempted stop and appeared to be preparing to flee on foot when the officer drew a gun and ordered him to the ground.

Investigators said Webster's 6-year-old son was in the back seat of the vehicle.

Webster told police he sped off because he believed his license was suspended. However, investigators said they determined Webster's license was valid.

Webster was arrested on charges of fleeing from an officer and child neglect. He was ordered held in lieu of $12,000 bail.