Snatched baby rescued from waves

The baby was brought ashore after half an hour

A man is to appear in an Australian court after carrying his baby daughter deep into the surf at an Adelaide beach.

The father allegedly threatened to kill the seven-month-old baby and himself.

After half an hour in the water, the 28-year-old man handed the screaming child over to a police negotiator who had waded into the sea.

He then gave himself up to police after a three-hour stand-off.

The father was said to be "very distressed"

The man is reported to have taken the baby from her mother's home in the Adelaide suburb of Queenstown.

Police pursued him in cars and a helicopter as he made his way towards the beach in the suburb of Semaphore Park.

There he abandoned his car and waded neck-deep into the waves, holding the child just above the surface of the water.

Paramedics wrapped the child in a thermal blanket and rushed her to hospital.

But the baby girl was discharged without injury and sent home with her mother at midday.

Criminal charges

A police boat brought the man to shore after he surrendered, while officers in bathing trunks stood by in case the situation deteriorated.

Police Inspector Tony Harrison said the man was "obviously very distressed himself".

"I was very focused on the task of resolving the situation as quickly as possible without anyone getting hurt," Inspector Harrison said.

The man has been charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, assault and acts endangering life, and was expected to appear in court on Wednesday.