The Southampton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic dispute at the 31000 Block of Thomas Street, on Thursday around 1:30 a.m.

According to Major Gene Drewery, spokesperson for the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office, upon arrival deputies found that the male party, Chad Timberlake, trying to leave and have the female party leave with him. Timberlake, 27, of West Jackson Street, Rich Square, North Carolina, had put one of the kids in the truck he was driving. The child was a 5 year old who was wearing no shirt or shoes and only had a pair of shorts on.

A deputy went to check on the child in the truck and found a loaded, black handgun in the dash in reach of the child. The deputy rendered and secured the weapon. Timberlake had left the child in the truck with the gun, while he went back into the house to argue with the mother of the child.

Timberlake was arrested and charged with gross, wanton or reckless care for child. He is being held in Southampton County Jail for outstanding charges he has out of North Carolina.

More information will be reported when it becomes available.