SC man arrested after yanking up minor by the neck & chest, SLED reports
A Lancaster County man has been arrested after grabbing a minor by their neck and chest then raising them into the air, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Justin Trent Craig, 36, was charged Monday with unlawfully placing a child at risk of harm, according to the warrants . In a sworn statement, a SLED agent said Craig yanked the child into the air by the neck and chest area and held on to the child’s waist while bending the minor backwards.
The incident occurred Dec. 16, when Craig told the child that he would kill them as he hoisted them into the air, the warrant said. The minor suffered visible physical injuries, according to the warrant.
Craig later told the minor they would lose their home if they told anyone about the incident, the warrant said.
It’s unclear weather Craig was the minor’s parent and whether the act was committed as a disciplinary measure.
The assault was corroborated by the victim and witness interviews, according to the warrant.
Craig was booked into the Lancaster County Detention Center.
This story was originally published December 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM.
