When a cadet knocked on the door of a Northwestern Michigan residence to serve a subpoena, he was reportedly greeted by a 5-year-old who was first holding a knife and then a loaded gun.
On January 25, a situation at a home in Battle Creek culminated in weapons and neglect charges being pursued through the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office. It began when a Battle Creek Police Department cadet went to the residence to serve one of the people who live there with a subpoena, and the door was reportedly opened by a 5-year-old holding a knife. The cadet asked them to get an adult, but when the youngster came back, they were allegedly holding a gun that was believed to be loaded.
The cadet was able to take the handgun away from the child without incident, and additional law enforcement from the Battle Creek Police Department showed up at the residence. When the officers entered the home, they reported that a woman and two men were there and that five youngsters between the ages of 8 months and 6 years old also lived there. The woman’s dad later identified her as the mother of the children, and one of the men at the home was the father of one of the kids.
When the house was inspected, the authorities noted multiple code violations, such as dangerous electrical issues, a lack of smoke detectors, and unpermitted plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work. The residence was reported as unhygienic and littered with trash. Non-working vehicles and mechanical parts were reported as part of what the police called a “deplorable” environment.
The adults were taken to the police station for questioning, and Child Protective Services removed the children from the home. It was reported by their maternal grandfather, who is trying to get custody of them, that the mother of the youngsters was living in a bad situation as a victim of domestic abuse.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.