Current:Home > ContactAn investigation is underway after police raided the wrong Ohio house, sending baby to ICU -MacroWatch
An investigation is underway after police raided the wrong Ohio house, sending baby to ICU
View
Date:2025-04-13 08:44:59
The mayor of Elyria, Ohio is calling for an investigation after a woman accused police of mistakenly raiding her home and allegedly injuring her 17-month-old toddler with the use of flashbangs.
"The allegations against our police department are extreme and deeply concerning. As I stated this past Saturday, I have ordered a complete review of the incident and requested all information be released to the public as soon as possible," Mayor Kevin Brubaker said.
The toddler's mother Courtney Price told CBS News that Elyria Police broke a window and deployed a flash-bang near her 17-month-old son Waylon during the raid on Jan. 10. Waylon was already on a ventilator.
"All I seen was lights flashing and smoke coming into the house," Price told CBS News. "I didn't know what to do because there was guns pointed at me. I wanted to run to him, but I knew if I ran to him ... they could've shot."
WOIO reported that Price and her son were the only ones home at the time, and the incident was captured on the family's Ring camera.
Price told CBS News she was then taken outside and handcuffed.
"I kept screaming, 'My baby, my baby is on a ventilator. My baby's in here," she said.
Reida Jennings, who rents the home, told WJW, that Price and her son were staying with her as Waylon waits for surgery for a heart defect.
“The baby is now in the ICU. He’s got burns all over him, inside of his lungs are burned,” Jennings told WJW. “He’s already a special-needs baby. He’s a trach baby. He was on his ventilator, they let the baby lay there for about 35 to 45 minutes in the smoke.”
Jennings said the Ring camera footage showed police "banging on the door," and throwing "the flash bang through the window." She told WJW that the flashbang hit the baby, and he was covered in glass.
Price told CBS News that Waylon was diagnosed with "chemical pneumonitis from the chemicals in the flash-bang."
Investigation underway:What caused a hot air balloon carrying 13 people to crash? How many people died? What to know:
Police deny allegations that child was hurt by flashbangs
However, in a statement, the Elyria Police Department denied the allegations.
"Any allegation suggesting the child was exposed to chemical agents, lack of medical attention or negligence is not true," police said.
Police said they obtained a search warrant for the home as part of an "ongoing criminal investigation," and a search team executed the warrant at around 2:15 p.m. on January 10. Two diversionary devices, commonly known as "flash-bangs" were deployed outside the home, police said.
"These devices produce sound and light that is noticeable in day or night conditions and are intended to distract the suspects attention. Diversionary devices do not produce a continuous burn and they do not deploy or contain any pepper gas or chemical agents," the police department said.
Elyria police said the tactical team entered the home after "repeated announcements" and found Price and her child inside. According to police, Price then told officers about Waylons pre-existing medical conditions.
"Elyria Police Detectives, Elyria Fire Paramedics and the mother assessed the condition of the child, confirming that the child did not sustain any apparent, visible injuries," police said.
Price then told the officers that she planned to take Waylon to the hospital for his "pre-existing illness unrelated to the tactical operation; however, she lacked an available car seat for transportation," police said.
According to police, detectives called Lifecare Ambulance, and paramedics assessed the child and took him to a nearby hospital.
Police previously searched home for suspects
Jennings told CBS News that police have shown up at the home multiple times in the year she's rented it searching for a suspect who doesn't live there.
She said she doesn't feel safe there anymore.
"All of our furniture was broke," Jennings told CBS News. "It's now stained. They just walked all over everything."
Mayor orders release of body camera footage
Brubaker said body camera footage from several police officers will be released later today, and additional footage will be released as it becomes available.
"The serious and disturbing nature of the allegations concerns all Elyrians. Our residents demand to know what occurred, and rightfully so. Thankfully, our City had the technology to record events in real time via many body-worn cameras throughout the entirety of the incident. I’m particularly grateful these cameras captured clear audio and video, from several angles. I am eager to release this footage for all of you to view," Brubaker said.
veryGood! (86577)
Related
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Q&A: Kate Beaton Describes the Toll Taken by Alberta’s Oil Sands on Wildlife and the Workers Who Mine the Viscous Crude
- Love of the Land and Community Inspired the Montana Youths Whose Climate Lawsuit Against the State Goes to Court This Week
- Jennifer Lopez Teases Midnight Trip to Vegas Song Inspired By Ben Affleck Wedding
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Arizona Announces Phoenix Area Can’t Grow Further on Groundwater
- Kim Kardashian Reacts After TikToker Claims SKIMS Shapewear Saved Her Life
- Keep Up With Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods' Friendship: From Tristan Thompson Scandal to Surprise Reunion
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Khloe Kardashian Films Baby Boy Tatum’s Milestone Ahead of First Birthday
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- invisaWear Smart Jewelry and Accessories Are Making Safety Devices Stylish
- Why Julie Bowen Is Praising Single Modern Family Co-Star Sofia Vergara After Joe Manganiello Split
- New Research Shows Global Climate Benefits Of Protecting Nature, but It’s Not a Silver Bullet
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- States Test an Unusual Idea: Tying Electric Utilities’ Profit to Performance
- Climate Change Made the Texas Heat Wave More Intense. Renewables Softened the Blow
- Lindsay Lohan Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Bader Shammas
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Carlee Russell's Parents Confirm Police Are Searching for Her Abductor After Her Return Home
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans Live in Communities With Harmful Air Quality, Study Shows
Australian Sailor Tim Shaddock and Dog Bella Rescued After 2 Months Stranded at Sea
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Australian Sailor Tim Shaddock and Dog Bella Rescued After 2 Months Stranded at Sea
Here's the Reason Why Goldie Hawn Never Married Longtime Love Kurt Russell
A New Hurricane Season Begins With Forecasts For Less Activity but More Uncertainty