Police used AI technology to track his vehicle before making the arrest.

09:39, Mon, Mar 23, 2026 Updated: 09:40, Mon, Mar 23, 2026

Isiah Hayes

Isiah Hayes has been arrested (Image: Shelby County Sheriff's Office)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a nine-month-old baby. Isiah Hayes, 27, spent years on the run from police after allegedly carrying out the attack in 2020.

It has been confirmed that Hayes, from Tennessee in the US, has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated child rape, conspiracy to commit aggravated child rape and especially aggravated solicitation of a minor. He was 17 at the time of the alleged rape while the victim was just nine-months-old.

Police arrested Hayes on Friday (March 20) following a lengthy manhunt. Officers tracked him to a housing complex in Jackson, Mississippi, where was spotted and arrested in a doorway.

The force said: "The Jackson Police Department would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the United States Marshals Service for their assistance in this high-priority apprehension. Their partnership and unwavering commitment to the safety of the citizens of Jackson and the broader West Tennessee region remain vital in removing violent offenders from our streets."

Investigators used Flock Safety technology to identify a vehicle associated with Hayes before closing in on him. The technology provides a network of AI-powered licence plate readers as well as surveillance technology to track the movements of vehicles.

Isiah Hayes arrest

Hayes was arrested in a property doorway (Image: Jackson PD)

Cameras were able to capture the vehicle's plates, make, model and colour over several days. The current database is used by over 6,000 cities across the UK.

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Police said Hayes had been hiding in a property in Jackson before the arrest. They swept on the home before arresting him in the doorway and taking him into custody.

The 25-year-old is now in Madison County Jail while he awaits extradition to Shelby County. His current bond information or future court date is not yet available.