GET OUT OF THAT. WALK OUT >> [laughter] >> TO THE STAFF. >> WALK THAT WAY. WALK THAT WAY. WALK THAT WAY. >> I can't shoot. >> outside of your house for like 40 minutes. >> I didn't know what I didn't want I didn't want them I didn't know if he was outside. >> On July 14th, 2024, deputies from the Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call reporting a violent domestic disturbance at an apartment complex in Lake County. By the time they arrived, the hallway was silent, but the floor told a different story with a trail of blood running from the parking lot all the way to one apartment door that no one was willing to open. >> And leading out this way. Yeah, I think that one is this way. So. I don't think it's in there somewhere. >> Deputies knocked repeatedly and announced themselves, called out through the door and dialed the phone number on file and each time they were met with complete silence. But through a small gap in the window blinds, officers could see movement inside the unit, lights being switched off one by one and someone in the process of changing their clothes. >> This is THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IF YOU DON'T COME TO THE FRONT DOOR NOW, WE'RE GOING TO KICK THE DOOR IN. THIS IS THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. COME TO THE FRONT DOOR NOW AND EXIT THE APARTMENT. IF YOU DO NOT, WE WILL MAKE ENTRY INTO YOUR APARTMENT. >> HEY, I'M GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING AS HIM. 715 339. Yeah, I'm going to stay here just in case on the floor. Who brave are saying no 33 right now? Who brave are they? They're going to come out freaking on them. >> The couple wasn't unconscious or in danger. They were fully aware that law enforcement was standing outside and they had made a deliberate choice to wait them out. After nearly an hour with no response and someone potentially injured somewhere inside, deputies determined they had exhausted every other option and forced their way through the door. >> Sorry, your flashlight. I thought your flashlight was like a bat signal or something. >> Are they injured or are they okay? >> Uh, so >> Okay. >> THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. ANYBODY IN HERE NEEDS TO COME OUT NOW. COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP. >> GOING ON RIGHT NOW. >> I DON'T CARE. COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP. >> HERE, let me go and step out. Yep, yep. I'm going to step back here. Step back here. >> Take him out of the house and see if >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> What do you want me to do? >> I'm just going I'm going to go >> All right. >> I got to get the door. >> All right. Step back here. >> Yeah. All right. >> So, you're you're not under arrest. All right, we just got a lot of stuff going on. Due to the fact of what just happened and that you're in the main entrance, okay? I'm just going to read you your Miranda warning. It doesn't it that you're under arrest or that you're in trouble? >> And your your recording is on? >> Yes. >> Is there anyone else IN HERE WITH YOU? WALK OUT TOWARDS THE SOUND OF MY VOICE. WALK OUT TOWARDS THE [screaming] SOUND OF >> WALK THAT WAY. WALK THAT WAY. WALK THAT WAY. >> LIKE HEY, SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IS ANYBODY IN HERE? ANNOUNCE YOURSELF IN THERE. COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP. I DON'T CARE. COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP. >> PUT YOUR hands up for a minute and then you can >> Okay. You got the door to your left. >> And then the >> Open the door for her. >> [clears throat] >> The moment they were inside, both occupants were located and secured in the hallway. The man, identified as 35-year-old Chaz Pennell, and the woman identified as 29-year-old Moni Tiana Hilton, were placed in handcuffs while deputies began clearing the rest of the unit. >> You read my Miranda rights before. So why did you put me in handcuffs? >> To secure you. >> But it's >> Based on what we've got going on here. >> But they >> We've been Hold on. We've been knocking and knocking and knocking on the door. >> And I've And I've been scared. I've been scared. >> So right now we're dealing with the situation. I don't know what's going on. >> Right. >> But because you I put you in handcuffs, >> Okay. >> I'm just going to read you this warning. Doesn't mean that you're under arrest. >> Okay. >> Okay? >> But when you read it, that don't mean But I I need you guys, if you're able to, to contact your supervisor. >> They're They're both here. >> They're here. Okay. >> They're both here. >> Yes. So because You see it's pretty dangerous. >> Hold on. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have the right to call on an attorney at this time, and have one present now or anytime during questioning. If you can't afford an attorney one will be provided one before or anytime during questioning, one will be provided for you. If you decide to answer questions now, you have the right to stop answering at anytime during questioning. Do you understand? >> Okay. >> You wish to speak to me? >> That's the right there. >> They're They're right here. >> Okay. Ask them to let them know that I want to speak to them. Let them know that I would like to speak to them, please, so that they are aware. Let them know that I request to speak to them. >> Well, they got to do whatever they got to do right now. >> which one is the supervisor? >> The guys with the stripes on their sleeves. >> Okay. Can you let them know that I request to speak to >> For what? >> In regards to being in handcuffs. Because I'm not I'm not I'm not the person to be in handcuffs. That's supposed to be >> Well, we don't know what's going on, right? >> My kids were scared and I'm scared. >> Here he is. >> were scared and I'm scared, so That's why I didn't answer. >> That's why you didn't answer the door? >> I'm scared. >> Both of them immediately launched into the same explanation. They had been too frightened to answer the door. They didn't know what was happening outside and they hadn't done anything wrong. But before they had even finished talking, deputies had already found what the couple had been hoping to keep hidden, a toddler with a deep, serious laceration on her arm that bore no resemblance to an accidental injury. >> I've been calling you. >> And I answered. >> Yeah, I answered for some I answered on my daughter's phone. >> I called you 10 times. >> Exactly. And I answered, I can show you proof on my daughter's phone that I answered. But for some reason her audio for some reason I've been calling her today, she can't hear me. So you can hear me, but I can hear you. >> No, it went to voicemail. I don't have to pick up the phone. >> Oh no, I picked up and I called back. >> No, I picked up multiple times and I called back. I called back and >> Okay. >> But let me get a chance, can you let your supervisor know I need to talk to him? >> They're right here for >> But I I know you you know I can't tell them. I don't want to stop. >> Why can't you tell them? >> Okay. Oh, he told me he told me I could tell the supervisor that I need to request to talk to them. >> That's between us. >> Okay, yeah. I asked him if I could talk to the supervisor, I want to talk to him. He said, "Why can't you tell them?" So I that's why I'm like, "Okay, so what is going on here?" him. >> We've got a lot to figure out because you've got injuries, the kids got injuries. >> There's a bunch of There's a bunch of witnesses going around saying that a female was chasing a guy around with a kid in their arms, kind of like how he's holding the baby now. And the male was saying that >> No. >> Okay. >> That wasn't >> That's why we're here. Did you have a chance to open the door? >> And that's why I'm saying I was scared because I've never really been to into situations like this. >> So, I'm >> When officers asked how the child had been hurt, the explanations began flowing, and they began unraveling just as quickly. Chaz told deputies he had only just arrived home from a work shift and walked into a situation that was already out of control. He pointed to Moni's ex-boyfriend as the source of the violence, claiming he had grabbed the baby out of sheer panic and run outside to beg a neighbor to call for help. Moni backed up the same version of events, insisting the ex-boyfriend had been the aggressor and that she herself was a victim, pointing to a cut near her eyebrow as evidence. The witnesses who live directly above the apartment had heard the entire altercation unfold through the floor beneath them. They described prolonged, escalating screaming that went on for an extended period of time. A male voice repeatedly shouting that someone needed to stop and to get away from him and a baby crying continuously throughout the entire ordeal. At some point during the confrontation, someone had reportedly screamed for a neighbor to call the police. >> It's a Saturday, we're about to leave to go pick up my husband at the airport. We opened up the door and immediately heard screaming. >> You know, that's calm around here. >> [laughter] >> Okay. >> Don't play with me. >> Um from the guy, I'm assuming. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, yeah. Um they were yelling back and forth. >> Don't put your hands on me then. >> And we just heard slapping. >> The guy said that? >> Yeah. I don't We can't tell like whose voice was whose, but we knew the noise >> The guy was talking most of it. Like you could hear him like yelling like get the [ __ ] away from me, don't touch me. >> And we heard the slapping and then we heard the baby wailing and then we were like >> Oh, this is really serious. >> It's actually really serious. Yeah. Um it continued and continued and he was screaming. >> Call 911. >> Yeah. >> And this is all happening out of sight for you guys. >> Yeah, we're upstairs. >> So so you you were upstairs at the time? >> Yes. >> And you could hear it. >> Door cracked open, yeah. >> And you didn't you didn't see >> We were too scared to go down there. When we heard the noise We're not going to go. Especially since we told the last lady when we were here about when we first moved in, a week after we moved in, same incident with them, slamming of doors. And they were all here with us and we were like and they we got called for witnesses while we were like >> Yeah, I was like yeah, I was home by myself and I heard all that slamming. >> The complex is going to evict them at this rate because they whenever folks get arrested, they'll do like some paperwork several paperwork, so they'll probably be gone. Um >> They're both getting arrested? >> Yeah, I think they both are. Um so, you did not see the child. >> No, but we heard the child. >> We could hear the >> Yeah, it was just literally like >> Yeah. >> It was wailing. >> It was It was so loud. >> It's scary, yeah. >> Like we were scared for her. >> Yeah. >> Cuz when we heard it, we didn't want to walk down. >> Yeah. >> When we heard it came, we were like, "Is this a baby or is this like a child?" Like we could not tell, but like >> wailing that loud, it's like >> Yeah, insane. >> Yeah. >> Got you. >> Inside the apartment, the search turned up the piece of evidence the couple had most needed to disappear. Had been broken into three separate pieces, two of which were buried in the trash, and one of which was still sitting on the kitchen floor. The case shifted again when the children's grandmother arrived at the scene after receiving a message from one of the older kids still inside the apartment. >> She tell you about the little baby? >> Yeah. >> Oh, let me see. Let me stop. I've seen him on the TV. >> We're going to get We're going to get this figured out. >> This is what she tells me. >> Okay. I You mind if I >> I don't mind. See the crying emoji? That's the guy. The the >> I'll explain it all to you after I read this, okay? >> Okay. >> And then we'll make sure >> that you cannot tell me anything. I know that. >> in here. Not in here, okay? Go ahead. Pull my Turn on my light. 10-4. >> What made it worse was what deputies found when they swept the rest of the unit. The other children in the home had been hidden in a back bedroom and instructed to stay quiet and out of sight while officers were on scene. Those same children later told investigators that they had been explicitly told to lie if any of the deputies asked them what had happened that night. >> How do I have a warrant all of a sudden? >> I don't know about the warrant, but >> That That is a lie. I've been paying my child support every week, bro. Hey, where she at? All right, somebody open this one then. Bro, what's going on, man? I went to court What is the thing I need to do, bro? >> Kick out your leg for me, buddy. >> Bro, I just got my The police just >> We'll we'll find out all about it. You don't have anything tucked up anywhere? All right. >> I don't have no warrant, bro. Y'all know I don't have no warrant. >> We're sending it off for confirmation right now. >> Y'all know I don't have a warrant. >> No, sir. We're not making it up to you. >> You are making it up. >> NO, WE'RE NOT. >> YOU NOTHING TO IT. DAMN, I QUIT HIS JOB. THEY CAN'T AFFORD US. HE GOT FIRED. HE JUST GOT OFF OF WORK AND I COME OUT WALKING MY I'M SORRY, SIR. I CAME OUT TO WALK MY DOG. HE GOT OFF OF WORK. >> The man Sit in the car. >> Sir, >> Scoot back. >> Chaz was formally placed under arrest in part because an outstanding warrant came back on him during the course of the investigation. He disputed the warrant immediately telling deputies he had been pulled over by law enforcement earlier that same day and that nothing had come up at that time. Officers told him they weren't fabricating the result. Moni got detained on the scene. >> Have a seat, please. >> Sir, please. >> Have a seat, please. >> Sir, >> We're going to get right back to you. Have a seat, please. >> And I feel like you're not being real. You know how I go. Come on now. >> Have a seat, please. >> You know how I go. I'm telling you the perpetrator just drove past you guys. >> Okay, well, we've been outside of your house for like 40 minutes. >> scared. I didn't KNOW WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I DIDN'T know what they I didn't know what he was outside. I didn't know if her dad was outside or anything. >> Announcing you have a pee pole. >> Huh? >> You have a pee pole. >> I I I seen I seen you guys. I'm scared. >> your >> I'm scared. >> up. >> Well, you tried calling us multiple times after the fact. Why didn't you talk to dispatch? >> I'm scared. Well, no, the phone I told him the phone died. When I called back, the phone died. The phone died. >> Have a seat for now. >> Oh, jeez. >> Enjoy my photo of the star. >> At the station, Monet became increasingly distressed as the situation progressed, demanding to speak with a supervisor, insisting that the real person responsible had driven past the responding officers and walked away free, and repeatedly stating that no one had given her the chance to tell her side of what happened. >> [screaming] >> Hello, ma'am. Sorry about that. I fell over the star right there. >> The husband and I said I told this man the girl told me the the woman officer told me that he would be able to speak to me. You guys had me in the car for hours. You didn't ask any questions when you barely Nobody gave any of my side. Nothing. The woman officer said that he was going to speak to me. And now all of a SUDDEN ME BEING AFRAID TO OPEN THE door I'm in a hot in energy. And you guys didn't even arrest THE PERSON. HE DROVE RIGHT PAST ME. DROVE RIGHT PAST ME. MR. LENA SAID HE AIN'T WORK. HE'S NOT AT WORK. HE'S NOT. BY ITSELF. by itself. My eyes are You guys ARE SUPPOSED TO CONTACT THE next living family member. Don't leave a body. Don't leave one third. WHATEVER THEY TOLD YOU TO NAME WAS THEY WAS NOT OUT THERE THE WHOLE TIME. They they was not out there. I'm arguing with a criminal. I'm not a criminal. >> All right. Calm down. >> I'm not a criminal, sir. >> I was not the supervisor out there so I don't know >> Exactly. So why you didn't listen to my side? You guys left me in the car for hours. You was supposed to write >> I was not out there. >> You was the supervisor, right? >> in the jail. I'm not out there. >> No, but you're a supervisor, right? Yeah, cuz they told me to talk to you. >> in the jail. >> And then you told me to talk to them. >> No, I was not >> I was there when I was trying to talk to them inside. You didn't say like >> In the end, Jazz Panel was charged with resisting an officer without violence and causing great bodily harm. His bond was set at $6,000. Moni Tiana Hilton was charged with simple domestic battery, cruelty toward a child, and aggravated assault. Her bond was set at $14,000.