A Gulf Shores man was arrested Monday night after police responded to reports of an intoxicated individual being verbally and physically abusive toward children at Mo's Landing.

Gulf Shores police officers arrived at 18068 State Highway 180 at approximately 8:30 p.m. and found Nicholas Joseph Tomlin, 23, attempting to cross the highway with three small children. Witnesses told police that Tomlin had picked up one child by the hair and clothing before slamming him into a stroller. Evidence collected at the scene corroborated these accounts.

Tomlin was detained for public intoxication and further investigation led to multiple charges. He faces counts of willful torture or abuse/mistreatment of a child, domestic violence third degree, reckless endangerment (three counts), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.

The children, aged 2 to 4, are now under the care of the Alabama Department of Human Resources' Child Protective Services. Tomlin is currently being held at the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office Correction Center.

The Gulf Shores Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is seeking additional witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact them at (251) 968-2431.