CARLTON, Ga. –  Authorities in northeast Georgia say the father of a 1-year-old girl found crawling along a highway has been charged with child cruelty, reckless conduct and obstruction.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1n5Pa40 ) a man driving along Highway 72 in Carlton called 911 after he spotted the girl and put her in his vehicle Friday.

Madison County sheriff's officials say the girl's father, 37-year-old Timothy Pickens, approached while deputies were investigating and was arrested after a scuffle.
 

The girl's mother told authorities she and her husband left the house and their other children, ages 13, 9 and 5, were supposed to be watching the baby.

Authorities say charges could be filed against the girl's mother. It's unclear if Pickens has an attorney, and a number listed for him is out of service.