Baltimore cop charged with assault after 15-year-old stepson dead following custody dispute

CURTIS BAY, Md. - Authorities say a 15-year-old boy is dead after being found unresponsive at his stepfather's house by police who were responding to a child custody dispute in Anne Arundel County.

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Officials say they responded to the 1400 block of Stony Point Way in Curtis Bay just before 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The boy's mother was picking up the son and was told by the stepfather that that teen had left the residence leaving his belongings behind, according to police. Officials say the mother called police who conducted a welfare check and found the boy unresponsive in an upstairs room of the home.

The stepfather, 34-year-old Eric Glen Banks Jr., became combative at the scene and tried to disarm an officer, authorities say. Banks Jr., a member of the Baltimore Police Department, was arrested and faces charges including assault and reckless endangerment.

The 15-year-old was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Officers say they spoke with witnesses and gathered evidence from the scene. The cause and manner of death are pending examination by the medical examiner.

The investigation is continuing at this time. Anne Arundel County Police ask anyone with information to contact them at 410-222-4731.

The Baltimore Police Department released the following statement:

"The Baltimore Police Department is aware of an ongoing investigation involving one of our members in Anne Arundel County. The member’s police powers were previously suspended and now they will be suspended without pay, while this current case is investigated by the Anne Arundel County Police Department."