Current:Home > NewsAn investigation is underway after police raided the wrong Ohio house, sending baby to ICU -Wealthify
An investigation is underway after police raided the wrong Ohio house, sending baby to ICU
View
Date:2025-04-15 16:09:19
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! (82)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Separated by duty but united by bond, a pair of Marines and their K-9s are reunited for the first time in years
- Map shows states where fireworks are legal or illegal on July 4, 2024
- Robert Towne, legendary Hollywood screenwriter of Chinatown, dies at 89
- Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
- 9 killed in overnight strike in Gaza's Khan Younis, hours after Israel ordered mass evacuation
- Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2024 time, channel: What to know about July 4th tradition
- Maryland OKs $50.3M contract for removal of bridge collapse debris
- 3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
- In the UK election campaign’s final hours, Sunak battles to the end as Labour’s Starmer eyes victory
Ranking
- Chief beer officer for Yard House: A side gig that comes with a daily swig.
- Hurricane Beryl roars toward Mexico after killing at least 7 people in the southeast Caribbean
- Jason Derulo Recalls Near-Death Experience After Breaking His Neck in the Gym
- 7 new and upcoming video games for summer 2024, including Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Cybersecurity breach could delay court proceedings across New Mexico, public defenders office says
- Flight to New Hampshire diverted after man exposes himself, federal officials say
- Prince William Joins King Charles III and Queen Camilla for Royal Duties in Scotland
Recommendation
US auto safety agency seeks information from Tesla on fatal Cybertruck crash and fire in Texas
In the UK election campaign’s final hours, Sunak battles to the end as Labour’s Starmer eyes victory
Minnesota prosecutor provides most detailed account yet of shooting deaths of 3 first responders
Early Amazon Prime Day Deals 2024: Shop the Best Travel Deals for Easy Breezy Trips
RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot after judge rules he didn’t violate ‘sore loser’ law
Taylor Lautner's Wife Tay Lautner Shares Breast Cancer Scare
Mega Millions winning numbers for July 2 drawing: Jackpot grows to $162 million
When is the Part 1 finale of 'Power Book II: Ghost' Season 4? Date, time, cast, where to watch