A witness moved the baby from a traffic lane after approaching a car seat believed to be empty, authorities said.
ST. LOUIS — A 36-year-old man has been charged after authorities said he left an infant in a car seat in a north St. Louis street before driving away Wednesday afternoon.
St. Louis prosecutors charged Christopher Pearson with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest by fleeing. The baby was not injured, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Officers were called at about 2 p.m. to Goodfellow Avenue near Natural Bridge Avenue after receiving a report that someone had placed a car seat in the street and driven away. Police said the seat had been left in a traffic lane.
A witness who saw the vehicle leave approached the car seat because the witness believed it was empty, police said. After finding an infant inside, the witness moved the seat and baby away from the roadway.
Investigators said the infant’s mother told police Pearson had been responsible for watching the baby. Court documents said she called Pearson after the incident and asked where the child was.
Pearson told the mother that he had left the baby outside a police station, according to investigators. Authorities said the infant was instead found near the intersection of Natural Bridge and Goodfellow.
Police located Pearson later in the area of North Florissant Avenue and Warren Street. Investigators said he drove away after seeing officers, leading to the additional charge of resisting arrest by fleeing.
Pearson is being held without bond at the St. Louis City Justice Center. An initial court appearance had not been scheduled as of the latest available report.
Author note: Last updated July 19, 2026.