In a dramatic turn of events on Florida’s Highway 79, a man found himself in handcuffs after a family car journey spiraled into chaos. Albert Dale Searcy, 46, now faces charges of child abuse and domestic violence battery. This follows allegations from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office that he assaulted his wife, Heather Searcy, and their daughter while driving.

The incident unfolded when Searcy’s daughter courageously dialed 911 amid a heated argument between her parents. The young girl, accompanied by two other children in the vehicle, alerted dispatchers about the ongoing domestic dispute, prompting immediate police intervention. A Facebook post from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office detailed the distress call, indicating the severity of the situation.

As law enforcement zeroed in on the vehicle, Searcy made a desperate attempt to escape. He leaped from the moving car upon realizing the police were in pursuit. Despite this reckless maneuver, deputies quickly located and apprehended him after halting their own car to give chase.

Thanks to the daughter’s quick thinking, she managed to provide the necessary details to dispatchers, including their location on Highway 79 and a description of the vehicle, before the call was abruptly cut. This vital information enabled deputies to track down the car and order Searcy to stop.

Instead of complying, Searcy continued driving north for a short distance before his reckless exit from the vehicle. His subsequent capture marks the end of a harrowing episode for the family and underscores the bravery of the young girl who took decisive action to ensure their safety.

Police said that Heather Searcy was able to regain control of the moving vehicle by climbing over the console. She eventually pulled the vehicle over. When police caught up to her, they saw “signs consistent with a physical altercation” including injuries to her face. Heather Searcy told police that during the alleged altercation, she told her husband to stop the car so she and the three children inside could get out. Albert Searcy allegedly “refused” and kept driving.

Heather Searcy said that her husband had not only allegedly struck her but had also allegedly struck his daughter after realizing that she called 911 on him. She explained to police that the family had recently moved to Florida from Louisiana, which was where they had been heading during the alleged altercation.

Emergency medical responders cleared the family after treating them at the scene.

Albert Searcy was taken into custody and charged with child abuse, domestic violence battery, false imprisonment, tampering with or harassing a witness, attempting to elude law enforcement, resisting arrest, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He was booked into Washington County Jail, where he remains behind bars.