Captured! Massive Manhunt for Man & Child Ends
By Jessie Williams
A Dixon Springs woman and her boyfriend are both facing charges following a massive manhunt involving a 15-month-old child in Macon County last weekend.
According to reports filed by officers with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, 50-year-old Gerald Dixon Blair was involved in a motor vehicle accident on the afternoon of August 16, 2024 while he was operating a vehicle registered to his girlfriend, 37-year-old Jessie L. Like.
Blair, who had a suspended license, was traveling eastbound on Highway 52 with Like’s 15-month-old child when he was struck from behind by another vehicle.
After the crash, Blair is said to have exited the roadway, turned around and fled the scene.
Deputies were able to locate the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, however Mr. Blair refused to stop and continued driving to the Pointe Lane/Long Creek Rd. area where he exited the roadway into a large, open field and abandoned the vehicle – fleeing on foot with the child in an unknown direction.
At the time, law enforcement was unaware a child was involved, so warrants were issued on Blair for evading arrest, leaving the scene and driving on a suspended license.
It was later discovered that Blair had the child in the vehicle with him at the time of the incident and he was seen on a Ring camera with the child in his arms at approximately 2:30 p.m.
A massive manhunt involving state and local authorities ensued, but neither Blair or the child were found as the day turned into night.
The following morning, a Lafayette property owner aware of the manhunt, observed Blair carrying the child and contacted authorities.
While he waited for police to arrive, the property owner held Blair at gunpoint and was able to gain custody of the child, who was hungry, thirsty and scratched up from spending the night in the woods.
Blair collapsed and had a seizure after handing over the child.
He was transported to a local hospital to receive medical attention before being booked into the Macon County Jail on the original charges from the wreck and the additional charge of child abuse or endangerment.
His bond was set at $12,000, and he is scheduled to appear in general sessions court on September 4, 2024.
As for the child’s mother, Jessie Like, she is charged with filing a false report after claiming she didn’t know who was driving her vehicle when law enforcement contacted her regarding the wreck Blair was involved in.
She is said to have given other people’s names in an attempt to obstruct or hinder law enforcement’s investigation for several hours.
Ms. Like was detained and transported to the Macon County Jail where she was held on $7,500 bond. She is also scheduled to appear in general sessions court on September 4, 2024.
The Department of Children’s Services is involved.
