Sumter deputies issue warrant for father thought to have fled traffic stop leaving infant in vehicle

Sumter County Sheriff's Office has issued a warrant for the arrest of a man suspected to be the driver of an abandoned vehicle in which an infant was left.

Faquanta Urell Benjamin, 21, of Salterstown Road, is thought to be the driver of the vehicle abandoned during a traffic stop on Nov. 6, as well as the father of the infant who was left inside the vehicle, according to Mark Bordeaux, public information officer for the sheriff's office.

A deputy attempted to make a routine traffic stop after noticing a headlight was out on the vehicle. The vehicle pulled onto a side road where the driver and passengers fled from the rolling vehicle. Deputies were able to detain one passenger, a minor, and the vehicle continued to roll until it struck bushes. The infant was found in the back seat of the vehicle and “appeared to be in good condition,” Bordeaux said.

An investigation is ongoing by the sheriff’s office.

Anyone with information that would be helpful to investigators is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (803) 436-2000. Tips can also be anonymously submitted at Crime Stoppers online at p3tips.com or by using the P3 Tips app for mobile devices.