Canyon County deputies: Man flees with 3-year-old in pickup, charged with DUI

CALDWELL, Idaho (CBS2) — A man left a domestic disturbance in Canyon County and fled deputies with a 3-year-old child in a pick-up truck after drinking alcohol on Tuesday, according to an affidavit obtained by CBS 2 News.

The affidavit identifies the man as 50-year-old Jeffrey Southern.

Canyon County Sheriff's Office says deputies and a Caldwell Police Officer tried to stop Southern as he fled, but didn't pursue him because they acknowledged the possibility of him having a child in the car.

The affidavit states that at 10:26 p.m., a deputy responded to a domestic disturbance call at a mobile home park in Caldwell.

It goes on to state that a woman on scene told deputies that Southern had "mental health issues" that they've been getting help for and Southern had been drinking alcohol through the day. The woman also told police that Southern had "grabbed a butcher knife," and got on top of her and threatened to kill her.

According to the affidavit, three children were in the trailer when this happened.

A neighbor overheard commotion and tried to stop Southern, but the affidavit reports he left the scene and brought a 3-year-old child along with him.

Southern's Dodge pickup was seen near the intersection of Simplot and Centennial Boulevard and deputies attempted to stop him. The affidavit states Southern "had sped away at an estimated speed of 80 mph in a posted 25 mph zone with no lights on."

Shortly after this, police say Southern hit a power pole at the intersection of 21st Ave. and Chicago Street in Caldwell.

He was taken into custody at 12:27 a.m. near Franklin and E. Ustick Road in Nampa after police received reports of Southern asking someone for gasoline at their door, the affidavit said.

Police report that they "smelled the strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath and person," and could hear him slurring his words. They say they found a box with fiver beer bottles inside the pickup.

According to the affidavit, the pickup had damage to the passenger door and was missing most of the glass and would not open.

Deputies say they found the child with glass in their hair and with no safety seat.

Deputies took Southern to West Vallet Medical Center at 1:30 a.m. the affidavit says. It says Southern was uncooperative with medical staff and refused any treatment. After some time, police were able to have Southern blow into a breathalyzer which read .124/.123. The affidavit states Southern refused any blood tests and threatened to fight officers if they tried to draw his blood.

Southern was booked into Canyon County Jail on charges of felony injury to child, driving under the influence, aggravated assault, failure to report striking a fixture and two counts of eluding police a officer.