Published: July 05, 2008 10:48 pm         

Man faces child neglect, police battery charges

City police say a Beckley man faces multiple charges after he drunkenly carried a 2-year-old girl through the streets and later punched a police officer in the face.

John Allen Clark, 45, of 115 Maplewood Lane, was charged with child neglect, public intoxication, battery on a police officer and obstructing a police officer, Sgt. W.J. Ray Jr. said. Clark was being held Saturday at Southern Regional Jail on $5,000 bond.

Around 10 p.m. Friday, police received a call about a man standing in the middle of the road near the corner of Johnstown Road and Lionel Street, Ray said. The man reportedly had a small child on his shoulders. Patrolman Jeremy Young found the child and the suspect, identified as Clark, at the corner of Lionel Street and Bailey Avenue.

Ray said Clark was “highly” intoxicated and was carrying a large, fixed-blade knife on his belt. Child Protective Services employees were called to pick up the 2-year-old girl, whose relationship to Clark was unknown. Clark was taken into custody without incident.

While Clark was at the police department, he screamed and cursed at officers in the building, Ray said. Clark became belligerent and had to be secured with a chain in the holding cell.

Later, officers had to briefly remove Clark’s handcuffs so he could be taken to jail, Ray said. He became belligerent again and fought with officers, punching Cpl. Jamie Blume in the face.

Clark was secured, handcuffed and taken to jail, Ray said. Blume only sustained minor injuries that did not require professional medical attention.

Patrolman Ben Zutaut investigated the incident, Ray said.

— Amelia A. Pridemore