Man arrested after taking baby on motorcycle

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Liberty County man photographed with a toddler on a motorcycle is under arrest for an outstanding traffic warrant but could face a more serious charge.

Anthony Welsh, 30, was arrested Tuesday afternoon at his home in Tarkington, Liberty County on an outstanding traffic warrant out of Deer Park. His bond was set at $250.

A photo of him and a toddler straddling a high-performance motorcycle sparked outrage on social media. It was taken on Sunday at a gas station in Tarkington. The man who took the photo posted it on social media.

"I'm not looking to get the guy thrown in jail, but he needs to get the hint that the kid's life is in danger," said the man who asked to remain anonymous. "That's dangerous."

Deputies are talking to possible eyewitnesses who may have seen Welsh driving with the toddler on the bike, according to Captain Ken DeFoor.

"Possible charges would be endangering a child," he said.

Under Texas law, no child under five years old shall be a passenger on a motorcycle and any passenger that does ride as a second person on the motorcycle must be seated in a secured seat to the back of the motorcycle with secure hand grips and two-foot pegs.

"It's just a very ill-thought-out decision to put a child in that position," said DeFoor. "If the motorcycle went down, the child is a goner."

Attempts to contact Welsh before his arrest were unsuccessful. His criminal history includes assault and evading arrest.

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