Man drags baby down street in overturned stroller, then leaves it in road, MO cops say

A 27-year-old Missouri man is facing charges after police say he dragged a baby down a road in an overturned stroller, then abandoned the child in the middle of a St. Louis street.

St. Louis police officers responded to a call for help on Monday, Sept. 9, after a man — later identified as Tamadj A. Shakesperae — was seen dragging a 2-month-old along a downtown street, according to court documents.

The incident was captured by surveillance cameras, which police reviewed.

The newborn was inside of an upside down stroller as Shakesperae pulled it along the right lane of Olive Street, police said. At one point, he stops to throw up, then leaves the baby and stroller “in the middle of the street.”

Shakesperae later told police that he had smoked K2, a type of synthetic marijuana, before the incident, according to documents.

He’s charged with endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk, documents show.

The effects that K2 and similar synthetic cannabinoids have on the brain generally mirror marijuana, but researchers say these synthetics can also cause “bizarre symptoms” not seen with actual marijuana and that they are “linked to dangerous side effects.”

However, investigators didn’t say whether they believe Shakesperae’s alleged K2 use played a part in his actions.

This story was originally published September 10, 2024 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Man drags baby down street in overturned stroller, then leaves it in road, MO cops say."