Behind the Badge
An 8-week-old is safe from harm after being caught in the middle of a domestic dispute that left the baby’s mother cut and bloodied and the father struggling incoherently with Fullerton Police officers.
Officers were alerted to the 400 block of W. Orangethorpe after getting reports of a woman screaming for help as a man dragged her into an apartment. As they approached the upstairs apartment, they observed a woman standing outside with a large cut to her forehead and covered in blood, officials said.
A man came out of the apartment holding a baby tucked onto the left side of his body and walked past the officers. When the officers approached him, he started kicking them and became extremely violent and began leaning against the railing with the baby still in his hands, police said.
As he tried to climb over the railing with the baby, officers grabbed his torso and legs to stop him. During this time, a neighbor came to the officer’s assistance and punched the man in the face and kneed him in the chest until he let the baby go.
The man had to be restrained multiple times by police before he was placed in handcuffs and ultimately sedated, officials said. He faces multiple felony charges.
The mom and the baby were both taken to St. Jude Hospital and the baby was placed in Child Protective Services.
“During this very tense situation, our officers displayed amazing restraint and professionalism by subduing this man and making sure this young baby stayed safe in the process,” Sgt. Kathryn “Katie” Hamel said. “The actions of the quick-thinking officers coupled wit the actions of the Good Samaritan prevented further injury to the mother and infant.”
