A Kentucky man is facing felony charges after police say he attended the birth of his child and then allegedly fled the hospital parking lot in the baby’s mother’s car, leaving her stranded just hours after delivery.
Christopher Mollette, 37, of Tomahawk, was arrested Saturday night following an investigation into the reported theft at Pikeville Medical Center, according to local authorities and court records.
Police say Mollette went to the hospital to witness the birth but was not permitted inside due to visitation policies. The child’s mother, identified by officers as his ex-girlfriend, reportedly allowed him to sit in her vehicle to stay warm while she remained inside the hospital, as first reported by Mountain Top Media.
After the birth, Mollette allegedly returned to the car while the mother stayed behind at the medical center. When staff later expected him to come back inside, he was nowhere to be found. The woman soon discovered her vehicle was missing and contacted police.
Investigators reviewed hospital security footage, according to the Mountain Citizen, which allegedly shows Mollette initially entering the passenger side of the car. He was then seen exiting the vehicle, moving into the driver’s seat, and driving away from the hospital.
The mother told officers she attempted to contact Mollette by phone. He allegedly answered but told her it was none of her business where the vehicle was before hanging up, according to police.
Authorities later located Mollette in Paintsville, roughly 45 minutes from Pikeville Medical Center, where he was taken into custody without incident. Police say he was driving the woman’s car at the time of his arrest.
Mollette has been charged with auto theft and receiving stolen property, according to online jail records. He was being held Monday at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on a $10,000 bond for each charge.
Court records and reporting by the Mountain Citizen indicate Mollette has a prior arrest history that includes possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, traffic-related offenses, and failure to appear in court.
The case remains under investigation, and no court date has yet been announced.
