An Irvington man is accused of assaulting the mother of his children as she was dropping her son off at day care.

Maplewood police say that officers were called to the day care at 495 Valley Ave. Wednesday morning for reports that a woman was being assaulted.

Police say that the victim told the officers that the father of her children, 30-year-old Kareem Dawson, assaulted her and then threw her from her car as she tried to drive away. Dawson fled the area in his own car after the alleged assault. The victim and witnesses told police that he allegedly had a gun as well.

Dawson was eventually taken into custody in Woodbridge a few hours later after a brief pursuit, according to police.

It was initially believed that Dawson took one of the children with him when he left the area, but that did not seem to be the case, according to Maplewood police.

Dawson was charged with contempt of court, simple assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.

The mother was not seriously injured and did not require medical attention.