Police in Pittsburgh were called to a bizarre scene yesterday where a father allegedly attempted to flush his newborn down a toilet.
According to reports from WPXI News, the horrific attack was over childcare.
The 31-year-old father, Dennis Gately is said to have been arguing with the six-week-old baby's mother when he pulled out a gun.
It is then alledged the father grabbed his baby son and pushed him head first down the toilet.
According to witness reports, the deranged dad then banged the baby's head against a wall and flung his crib down the stairs before threatening to "kill them."
At this point thankfully the family dog intervened to protect the vulnerable mother and baby and attacked Gately, allowing the mother to flee and alert authorities.
When a SWAT team arrived, a standoff between Gately and law enforcement commenced lasting two hours. Eventually, the father surrendered and was arrested.
To the arresting officers, Gately allegedly said:
“I could have picked either one of you off at any time. I had the advantage because I had the high ground.”
The baby was treated at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC but as yet no reports as to the baby's condition have been released.
Gately, himself suffered a bite from the family dog, and the baby's mother was left with a black eye.
The father has been charged with simple assault, aggravated assault, endangering a child and terroristic threats.
