MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man has been accused of holding a baby and her mother hostage for over $6,000 in ransom.
Antonio Stevison, 38, has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Kidnapping, Child Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment, Robbery and Domestic Assault.
On July 14, just before 5 p.m., a woman filed a complaint at the Austin Peay Police station.
According to reports, the woman told police she and her one-year-old baby were held against their will by Stevison since July 13 and were just let go.
Police said that the suspect went to the victim’s house and broke a window, and told the woman to bring her son and get into the car.
Reports say a man named Jet drove the victim, and Stevison drove the victim’s vehicle to a residence on George Street.
When they were all inside the residence, Stevison reportedly hit the victim’s body with his fists.
Police said Stevison and Jet were snorting cocaine, and Stevison forced the victim to take pornographic photos and videos of her, saying she was not being held against her will.
The suspect then forced her to hit her baby with a belt, and if she did not hit the baby hard enough, he would hit her with a broom.
MPD says, when the victim begged to be let go, Stevison refused and made the victim and her baby stay the night, locking them inside the residence.
The victim told police that every time she tried to escape, Stevison would hit her.
On July 14, in the morning, the victim said she was forced to put her baby outside on the porch for three to four hours.
According to reports, the victim offered Stevison $7,500 in cash to be let go, and he agreed to let Jet drive the victim to a bank on Elvis Presley Boulevard while the baby stayed with him.
Police said the victim withdrew $6,800 in cash and gave it to Stevison to be released.
Stevison was arrested after a traffic stop and brought in for questioning, and he denied being with any women over the weekend.
He also denied owning a cellphone, but he admitted to owning a teal green Chrysler 300. He said the vehicle was not drivable at the time.
Stevison said that he was visiting his uncle, who lived around Southaven and George Street.
Police said the baby had two small abrasions near his hairline and some redness between his thighs.
Reports say the victim had an abrasion under her chin and bruises on her right arm and leg.
Stevison’s bond has been set to $100,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 13.