Clay County Sheriff: Missouri Suspect Arrested After 100 MPH Pursuit With Infant in Vehicle

PIGGOTT, Ark. — A Missouri suspect was arrested early Wednesday after a pursuit in southern Clay County reached about 100 mph and ended with deputies discovering a 7-month-old child inside the vehicle, according to a press release from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said the pursuit began around 3 a.m. April 22, 2026, when a deputy saw a vehicle traveling north erratically on County Road 111 near Datto.

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According to the press release, the vehicle then ran a stop sign at Highway 211 and turned north toward Success. A deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the driver sped up instead.

As the vehicle entered Success, the deputy estimated its speed at about 100 mph, the sheriff’s office said.

At the intersection of Highway 211 and Highway 328, the deputy pulled alongside the vehicle. When the vehicle slowed at the intersection, the deputy made contact with its left rear fender, according to the press release. The vehicle then spun out of control and stalled on the highway.

The driver was removed at gunpoint and taken into custody, the sheriff’s office said.

While taking the suspect into custody, the deputy noticed a child safety seat in the back seat and found a 7-month-old child inside. The child’s mother was also in the back seat, according to the press release. The sheriff’s office said neither was hurt during the pursuit.

The driver was identified as John R. Payne, 44, of Fairdealing, Missouri.

According to the sheriff’s office, a driver’s license check showed Payne was wanted in Ripley County, Missouri, on a felony warrant for third-degree assault with nationwide pickup. The sheriff’s office also said Payne is a registered sex offender who was out of compliance on probation for registration.

Payne was taken to the Clay County Detention Center and booked on charges of felony fleeing, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor involving risk of physical injury, fictitious tags, no liability insurance, reckless driving and the Missouri felony warrant.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.