Athens Police: man took child from home

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – Before dawn, police were called to Westwood Heights Apartments in Athens.

The call was a man causing property damage.

Neighbors told officers that Dillon Clayton has smashed a window in an apartment with a rock.

They said he then went into a nearby apartment where a young man and his one year old child were sleeping.

Witnesses say he then took the child from her bed, telling them that it was not safe for the child to be there.

He told them he was taking her to the helicopter landing pad for Starr Regional Hospital.

They didn’t find the child there, but learned that a child was handed over to a nurse at the hospital.

Officers confirmed that it was the missing child.

A short time later, an officer was flagged down by Clayton who was looking for a ride.

He was arrested instead.

Athens Police Chief Couch said “It should go without saying that this type of behavior can’t be tolerated in our community. We are all thankful that this child was able to be located quickly. I applaud our officers and the staff at the hospital for handling this situation so professionally.”