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A 34-year-old Brownstown Township, Michigan man has been charged in an incident that sent neighbors racing to confront him as he allegedly abused a child.

Nathaniel Johnson was charged in 33rd District Court with one count each of child abuse and resisting and obstructing police. He is designated a four-time habitual offender.

Three police officers initially responded to Tanglewood Village on Manchester Street just before 6 p.m. July 26.

Witnesses told police they came running after seeing Johnson walking around carrying a 5-month-old infant with his hand gripped around her neck.

It is not clear if he is the father of the baby.

According to Detective Lt. Andrew Starzec, neighbors and another man were able to get the infant away from him, but he started to become aggressive.

At one point prior to police arriving, Johnson reportedly went inside his mobile home unit and began damaging the place.

Upon the arrival of police, the man had sustained numerous cuts from his outrage inside the mobile home.

“He was bleeding all over the place — his shoulder, legs, everywhere,” Starzec said. “He was so bloody it was difficult for officers to get ahold of him.”

As more officers began to arrive, he became more agitated, police said.

The officers had to put him on the ground in order to get him under control and get his hands together to put handcuffs on him.

Starzec said the officers, many of whom are fathers themselves, did a great job maintaining their professionalism and making sure no one got hurt.

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The infant was transported to Children’s Hospital in Detroit.

Starzec said she is doing well.

“This was quite an ordeal for officers,” he said. “They were a little shaken.”

Police said it appears Johnson ingested something that caused his outburst, but it is unclear what it was he took.

“It didn’t turn out to be what he thought it was going to be,” Starzec said.

Johnson said he doesn’t know what happened and said, “Tell all the guys, ‘I’m sorry,” according to police.

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