Trapped children’ determined ‘assist us’ check in window sparks dramatic SWAT group rescue
Terrified children trapped during a domestic disturbance sparked a SWAT-backed rescue after one held a handwritten ‘HELP US’ sign to a window
Andre Janard Smithson, 33, was arrested(Image: Kissimmee Police Department)
Terrified children trapped inside a home during a domestic disturbance sparked a dramatic police response after holding up a handwritten “HELP US” sign in a window. Kissimmee Police in Florida, USA, were called to the address on October 26, after worried family members raised the alarm.
They told officers they feared for the children’s safety. Police said one child had even texted his grandmother, prompting relatives to contact authorities as the situation unfolded.
Taking to Facebook, Kissimmee Police Department wrote in a post: “Family members alerted officers that children were inside the residence and feared for their safety. Using a drone, officers located the children hiding in a room, where one child bravely held a handwritten note against the window reading “HELP US”.
Family members alerted officers that children were inside the residence and feared for their safety(Image: Kissimmee Police Department)
Three youngsters were reportedly sheltering in a guest bedroom while a five-month-old baby was in the master bedroom where the incident unfolded. The police’s Facebook post further read: “The children were able to safely escape the residence while Smithson was distracted.
“[…] Smithson eventually surrendered peacefully. Smithson was arrested on charges of false imprisonment and an outstanding active warrant.”
Andre Janard Smithson, 33, was arrested on October 26 and charged with false imprisonment after relatives alerted police they were terrified for the children’s safety, The Palm Beach Post reported. Prior to the arrest, officers arrived and knocked, but got no response from inside.
Kissimmee Police in Florida, USA(Image: news6wkmg)
The disturbance began when an adult woman inside the home (the mother of the five-month-old baby) told her sister that Smithson was “beating” her. She was in the master bedroom with Smithson and the infant, WTSP reported.
Police then made contact with the children by phone, and they told officers that Smithson was refusing to let them leave and that they were frightened of him.
Authorities said the children managed to get out safely while officers created a distraction.
Smithson later gave himself up without incident and was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, as well as on an outstanding active warrant.
Both Smithson and the alleged victim reportedly told police the argument did not turn physical.
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