The ensuing confrontation with police turned physical.
TRENTON -- After warning Tyiquere Thomas, 22, to leave the mother of his child's apartment on the 200 block of Coolidge Ave, two police officers heard screams as they themselves were about to depart.
They returned to see Thomas fleeing the residence carrying his 10-month-old son by the arm, police said.
Authorities said the officers then engaged Thomas and freed child from his grasp.
Thomas continued to fight with officers, forcing the officers to pepper spray him, police said.
He was arrested and taken into custody soon after.
Officers said the mother of the child told them Thomas had been acting strange all day and was banging on her door for about an hour before police had arrived.
Thomas had been demanding custody of the child, but could not provide any documentation to show he was the primary caregiver or had any rights to custody.
After not providing any proof of custody, officers say they told Thomas to leave -- that's when things headed south.
The infant was taken to the hospital and released without any injuries, police said.
The arresting officers suffered minor injuries as a result of the engagement with Thomas.
Thomas has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest.
Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook