Baby dies, man critical

A man who kidnapped a 7-month-old girl in North Baltimore was on the phone with North Baltimore police chief Dave Lafferty and the baby's mother for nearly 50 minutes after abducting the child, according to a recording of a 911 call. The man has been identified as Jonathan Baker, 23, of North Baltimore. Police officers at the scene where an alleged kidnapper crashed into a Tiffin home. A 7-month-old baby died from injuries sustained in the crash, police said. AT PHOTO/Kayla Trevino The baby succumbed to injuries, according to Tiffin Police Department, but it is not clear if the death was caused by the crash or injuries the baby girl suffered prior to it. "The child was removed from the vehicle where lifesaving protocols were administered," said Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly in a press release. "Baker was also provided medical assistance." The telephone call between the North Baltimore police chief, the baby's mother and Baker is harrowing. "I responded to a domestic," Lafferty told Wood County Sheriff's Office dispatch during a 911 call obtained by the A-T. "The male subject has left with a very small child. He has now called back and told us he plans on committing suicide and homicide with the child." The suspect's location first pinged near Bradner. The dispatcher asked Lafferty how they were able to know where the suspect is. "She's got her locater on him through her phone. I think he forgot to turn it off. But I've been talking with him for the last half hour." "He may be armed because earlier today she located him in Findlay at TNT Firearms," the chief states. Later in the 911 call, Lafferty informed the dispatcher that a North Baltimore officer confirmed with TNT that the suspect had purchased two firearms at the location. During the 911 call, the suspect called the mother and was on speakerphone. The suspect indicated that he knew he was being tracked, the statement was passed to the dispatcher by Lafferty. Near County Road 11, the suspect's location did not move. The dispatcher indicated that the subject may have thrown his phone out of the vehicle due to realizing he was being tracked. At about 3:50 p.m., Baker traveled toward Seneca County and Seneca County's dispatch was added to the call by a Wood County dispatcher who had issued a "Be On the Look Out or BOLO for the vehicle, a yellow Camaro with black racing stripes. Baker continued to travel toward Tiffin and Tiffin Police dispatch was also added to the 911 call. He was located by an off-duty Tiffin Police lieutenant at about 4 p.m. at Nelson and West Market streets. The suspect then crashed the vehicle into a Tiffin home at about 4:04 p.m. As for the home that was struck during the crash, it was knocked off its foundation by about 7 inches, according to Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly. The home also received substantial damage; however, it was unoccupied at the time and the utilities had been turned off. According to Seneca County Prosecutor Derek DeVine, the baby is expected to undergo an autopsy performed by the Lucas County Coroner's Office. When asked which county court will be prosecuting charges against the suspect and what charges the subject may face, DeVine said the matter is still under investigation at this time. "The investigation of this case is in it early stages and the collection of information is ongoing," said Wood County Prosecutor Paul Dobson. "Additionally, law enforcement's primary concern regarding the investigation is the integrity of the case. To that end we are very judicious in the facts being related to the public. As a result of these factors, several of your questions cannot be answered at this time." Additionally, Dobson told the A-T that no charges have been filed as the investigation is ongoing. "Should charges be filed, they would be based on the facts uncovered during the investigation," he said. "The answers to your remaining questions are either unclear at this time, have yet to be uncovered, or are being withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation." Tiffin Police detectives are in charge of the investigation. According to Pauly, additional search warrants, interviews and other investigative efforts need to take place. Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting in processing evidence. Tiffin Police Department, North Baltimore Police, Seneca and Wood County Prosecutors are working together on the case. The suspect is still in critical condition and remains at St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo.