Man Accused of Child Abuse Claims Baby’s Injury Resulted from Car Seat Incident

A Maricopa man, Eric Johnson, was arrested on June 19, 2025, amid serious allegations related to the injury of his infant daughter.

According to police, officers were dispatched around 10:30 a.m. to a residence on Gibson Drive in Cobblestone Farms after receiving a report of a domestic dispute. The report indicated that Johnson, 26, had engaged in a heated argument with his girlfriend and allegedly pushed her while she was holding their 6-month-old daughter.

Upon arrival, officers found that Johnson had attempted to evade them by closing the door and escaping through the backyard. The probable cause statement reveals that his girlfriend reported feeling trapped in the home due to ongoing tensions, which had escalated the previous night over financial issues.

She described a confrontation where Johnson blocked her from leaving, leading her to try to push past him. In the ensuing struggle, her foot reportedly struck the baby, resulting in the infant suffering a bloodied lip.

First responders noted the injury, with blood found on the chest of the child’s grandmother, who was looking after the baby at the time. The mother also informed the officers that Johnson had tampered with their home security system, changing passwords to restrict her access.

Law enforcement located Johnson near the neighborhood entrance, where he allegedly attempted to flee. Officers used a Taser to apprehend him. During questioning, Johnson claimed that the child was injured due to a mishap involving her car seat and denied any assault on his girlfriend. He even provided access to his camera footage, but police have not disclosed its content as of yet.

Johnson now faces serious legal consequences, having been booked into the Pinal County jail on multiple charges, including domestic violence assault, child abuse, and child endangerment. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison.

For support and resources related to domestic violence or child abuse in Maricopa, individuals can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).