Man arrested for throwing 3-year-old into Liberty Park pond, police say

Man arrested after throwing 3-year-old into Liberty Park pond, police say

Liberty Park pond is seen in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The pond was closed as a precaution due to a toxic algal blooms that have contaminated Utah Lake, the Jordan River and Big Cottonwood Creek. — Liberty Park pond in Salt Lake City is pictured in this July 20, 2016, file photo.

SALT LAKE CITY — Police arrested a man over the weekend after they say he threw a 3-year-old girl and her uncle into the pond at Liberty Park.

Jeremy John Olivia, 32, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of child abuse, assault and failing to stop at the command of an officer.

Friday night, Olivia tried to punch the uncle but missed, “then threw him into the pond at Liberty Park,” according to a police affidavit. Olivia then “picked up the victim’s 3-year-old niece and threw her into the pond where she went completely underwater.”

The affidavit does not say why the men were fighting. No serious injuries were reported.

After throwing the girl in the pond, Olivia ran out of the park. Police spotted him near 1300 South and 200 East, but he ignored the officer's commands to stop and continued running for several blocks until he was arrested near 1300 S. West Temple, according to the affidavit.