Virginia man throws toddler into a creek while fleeing police

Police say a Virginia man fled from officers in Strasburg on Monday evening, throwing a 2-year-old boy into a creek as he went.

It started around 5 p.m. on Monday when a police officer saw a stolen car and attempted to make a traffic stop.

According to the Strasburg Police Department, the officer saw the man driving with his 2-year-old son on his lap. When the officer stopped the car, the man, identified as 28-year-old Kyle Steven Sunday, of Haymarket, got out and ran.

As officers ran after him, one saw Sunday throw his child over an embankment into a creek. That officer broke off the pursuit to rescue the boy, who had multiple lacerations, from the creek.

The child was treated by fire and rescue crews at the scene and is okay.

Officers picked the search for Sunday back up with help from the Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office and Warren County Sheriff's Office.

A K9 tracked him to a home on Fairchild Drive, where police tried to call for him to leave the house peacefully. After no response, officers forced entry to the home and found Sunday hiding in the attic.

The mother of the toddler, 27-year-old Kristi Ann Letima, told police that Sunday had stolen her car with her son inside of it. However, police determined that to not be the case.

Sunday was charged with multiple felony counts, including child abuse, reckless driving, and eluding police. He had previous outstanding arrest warrants and a suspended driver’s license.

Letima was charged with child neglect and endangerment, obstruction of justice, and making a false report to law enforcement.

Police also say a Strasburg officer fired a gun during the incident. The firearm is being investigated by the Virginia State Police.