A Tennessee man has been taken into custody after police say he bit his infant son on the cheek during a disturbing incident.
Memphis Police responded to a call for an ambulance around 1 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026. When officers arrived, they found 34-year-old Jerry Stark inside a restaurant, visibly distressed and shouting.
According to restaurant staff, Stark ran into the establishment, lay on the kitchen floor with his infant son, and claimed that his family was trying to kill him.
When officers spoke with him, Stark reportedly repeated the claim and said he needed help.
Witnesses told police that Stark had earlier been at a Shell gas station, holding the baby and asking for assistance. They said he later got into a red SUV and drove to another gas station, still seeking help.
Police say witnesses became concerned when Stark began squeezing the infant, who appeared to be turning blue. As they attempted to intervene and take the child from him, Stark allegedly panicked and bit the baby on the right cheek.
Witnesses were eventually able to remove the child from Stark and left the scene, after which someone contacted the police.
Authorities later located the child’s mother, who said she had been in a vehicle with Stark when he pushed her out while it was still moving and drove off in an unknown direction.
Officers noted that the infant had an injury on the right side of his face and was taken to the hospital, where he was reported to be in non-critical condition.
Stark was arrested and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, May 4, 2026. Authorities have not yet confirmed the charges he will face.
