Mother Wants Justice After Infant Son Killed By Fleeing Car

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Heartache in Northeast Baltimore when a police pursuit spills over from Baltimore County into the city and a one-year-old loses his life.

Rick Ritter looks at the pursuit policies that are now being sharply questioned.

Police have not yet identified the suspect. The mother says she was coming back from church with her baby when this all happened. Her family is now calling for justice.

Teaira Smallwood re-lives the final moments before her one-year-old son, Jeremaih Perry, was hit and killed in a wild police pursuit—a heart-wrenching vigil that literally brought the mother to her knees.

WJZ obtained cell phone video of the aftermath—a tragic chain of events that started Sunday night on Pulaski Highway when the driver of a Mercedes hit an officer in his cruiser. The suspect then took off to Sinclair Lane and Moravia Road.

County police pursued the Mercedes into the city. It then struck a Volvo, pushing it up onto the sidewalk and killing one-year-old Jeremaih.

"I was like three blocks away, and I could hear my sister yelling, 'No! No! No!'" said Destiny Smallwood, Jeremaih's aunt.

WJZ wants to know what is Baltimore County's policy on police pursuits and if officers should have been pursuing.

"We do authorize pursuits, depending on the seriousness of the offense and the risks," said Elise Armacost, Baltimore County Police Department.

The department's strictly regulated policy was obtained by WJZ and states officers can pursue if they have knowledge that "serious harm or death has been or will be inflicted" if an arrest is not made.

The baby's mother was not injured, but she now has to live with the horrific images of the crash imprinted in her mind, as she holds onto what's left of the child they called "an angel."

"I just want justice to be served for my son," said Teaira Smallwood, mother. "I want that man behind bars for life. A life for a life. And I mean that."

Unlike the county, the city police department has a strict no chase policy.

A GoFundMe page has been started for Jeremaih's family to help pay for his funeral. If you're interested in donating, CLICK HERE.