She hits it like this. >> Yeah. >> Remember she used her pencil and like does this like that? >> What's What happened to your foot? >> She hit it. >> She hit your foot. What [music] she hit your foot with? >> A piece of glass. >> She hit your foot with a piece of glass. It >> happened. Mhm. >> I don't know how that would happen. >> Home is supposed to be a safe haven, but for some kids, it's a house of horror. It may seem that there's nothing wrong, but the truth eventually comes out. Thankfully, cops immediately step in when children expose their parents' horrifying secrets. >> He was like in my face, which is why I had the bat in my hand. >> She hit me in my back. >> Let me see your bat. >> She me like right here. >> Okay. >> And she me in my horn in my elbow area right here. >> Okay. [music] No, with the bat. >> Look, man. Metal baseball bat. On April 26th, 2023, a teenager made a desperate call to police, claiming his own mother attacked him and his sister with a metal baseball bat. When the officers arrived, they found him hiding at a neighbor's home, calm, but covered in bruises. >> What's up, man? What's going on? >> My mom, she beat up my sister, chased her run outside with a metal bat. I think she hit her. I'm not sure. And I tried to take up her and she uh she hit me in my back. >> Let me see your back. She me like right here. >> Okay. >> And she hit me in my horn and then my elbow area right here. >> Okay. No. With the bat. >> Look, man. Metal baseball bat. >> Okay. What's your mom's name? >> Uh, Jane Smith. Maria Smith. She's inside right now. >> Maria Smith. Okay. All right. Do me a favor. Just stay right here. Devont way with him, sir. >> Yeah. I told him I told him he can sit on my porch if you want. >> Yeah. My partner will be here in a minute. Just wait right here. Right. Cuz we about to get a statement from you and all that. All right. >> Therefore, I'm not I'm on the side that's uh furthest north. There were two things the officers needed to be aware of. First, there was a possibility that the mom, Maria Smith, could slip out through the back entrance if she saw them approaching. Secondly, she was potentially armed and dangerous. So, they waited for backup to arrive. >> Bravo 1, can you give us 33? We're going to make contact. >> West Palm Beach Police. >> We got a camera right here. >> Someone's coming out. >> Ma'am, come out with your hands up, please. Come out with your hands up, please. >> What am I doing that for? I just need you to come out your hands up your hands. >> She's good. >> What reason? >> Step out this right now. >> What am I What? Okay. >> Anybody else in the house with you? >> My kids are in the house. >> What are you doing here? What's happening here? >> What am I doing this for? >> We'll explain. >> You're being detained. All right. You're not being >> paid for what? >> We'll explain. >> Okay. They're all upstairs. One's in the bathroom. There's three of them in there. >> Just call them out. Officers now. >> Just call them out, please. >> Hello. >> You got a bet right here. West Palm Beach, please. >> Now, why am I being detained? How old are the kids, ma'am? >> My 15year-old's in the shower, my daughter is 10, and my son is eight. So, >> 15 10 year in the shower. 15 year olds in the shop. >> What am I being detained for? >> Based on our call, >> which was what? >> How many kids do you have? >> My 17-year-old is somewhere running around here with the BB gun. Okay. Now, you got to explain to me what's happening here. >> Well, explain it later. >> No, we got to explain it now. >> No, because there's if something rises, then there's legal reasons to hide. >> Even though she was acting confused, Maria complied with the officer's requests. She did not appear to be aggressive or intoxicated. So while one officer detained her, the others moved inside to secure the children. Once things calmed down, they began gathering statements to understand the full story. >> Did you hear your mom screaming about anything? Were your mom upset? >> She was upset. >> You know why she was upset? >> Because of my sister. >> Okay. Can you tell me why you're crying? I just want my I want my sister back. >> Is your sister here or is she >> I She did. >> What did you see today? >> I didn't see anything. >> Okay. Did your mom your sister or brother >> for my brother? >> How did she hit your brother? >> She used the bat. >> She used the bat. How did she use the bat? >> Because I don't know how how she did, but I just noticed that she used the bat. >> Okay. Did you see it? No. How did you know about it then? I heard my brother saying that she that he got hit in the back. >> Okay. How was he saying it? Was were you upstairs or were >> I was upstairs. >> You was in your room. Did it happen downstairs? >> It happened out here. >> Okay. Have you ever seen your mom hit your brother with a bat before? You guys that kind of way before? Okay. >> So far, the teen story checked out. Mom apparently had a spat with her older daughter, and he stepped in to defend his sister. However, the young boy didn't actually see [music] him getting hit with the bat, and he was clearly distraught about his mom being arrested. I >> don't want my mom to get arrested. >> That's all right. Nothing is going to happen like that, okay? We just have to see what happened here today, okay? And you're helping me with that. You just got to be a big boy about it, okay? How old are you? Eight. >> Hey, don't worry about it. Everything's going to be all right. Family's going to be back to normal, okay? Have your mom ever hit you. What she do when um she punish you? So, when you act bad, what she do? Does she work? >> She uses her belt. >> Her belt? >> Hey, bud. What's going on? >> Hit me with the bat being on my sister. >> Where did she hit you with a bat at? >> In my back area. Right there. >> Right here. Under my shoulder. >> Okay. You want to see medics? >> Oh, yeah. They're here. >> Two. Bravo. One. You can lift traffic. We have one detained and medics. It's clear for medics. >> I don't know if my sister. So, I don't know what happened to her. She's >> She Yeah, we're going to we're going to talk to her. >> Smashed my phone or couldn't call nobody. >> What? What did she do this for? found nothing. No, it was it was really my little brother. He cried over some cereal. He went and hit my little sister and uh she retaliated back and said, "Don't hit me." >> As they waited for medics to arrive, the teenage boy started explaining in more detail what started the altercation and how it escalated and got out of control. Meanwhile, the neighbor was on the phone with the boy's father. >> And you know, my mom, she's more lenient with the little ones, the two little ones. So, she went back and forth for my sister. put her out the house saying, "Oh, she don't want it. I told you you could have stayed with your dad. I don't want y'all here." >> Uh, this your dad. >> Hello. What happened? >> Uh, she hit me with a metal bat in my back, lower back area. I think like middle back area. She hit me in my arm and my shoulder. I ran outside. She's tried pulling a BB gun on me. I took it and it was a rifle. I threw it in the lake and uh she she threatened me with the bat again. She got I'm telling to unmute the phone cuz she was on the phone with Grammy to so I could tell her to explain everything to her and you know she just kept coming out back and forth with the back threatening me. So I just had to come to the neighbor and I I tried calling you and I called the police. >> Did you tell them that that she with the bad? >> Yeah. Yeah, I told them. Yeah, I did. And she like beat her up [music] outside and threw her around in the dirt and stuff. I just ran to the She said um that I'm going to f up your sister. If you say anyone anybody, you're next. That's what I told you on my phone. She Yeah. She smashed my phone with the back. >> Yeah. So, after I said after she said I said, "You're not gonna hit her with that back." And then she said, "What are you gonna do about it?" >> As the young man told his horrific tale, medics arrived and began evaluating his injuries. According to his statement, during the initial argument, his mom had told him to pack his stuff and leave because he wasn't welcome there anymore. Then, as he was packing upstairs, she went outside looking for his sister. I come back downstairs, she come in the door saying, "Uh, you both you need to leave." D, you need to leave. And uh, I said, "Leave for what did I do? What what what do we even do?" She said, "I don't want you and your sister here. This is just all drama. Uh, I just want peace and my sanity." And I said, "Uh, your sanity. This isn't gaining your sanity." And, uh, I said, like, this isn't right what you're doing. And she said, "Mother Effer." And she went there and grabbed the uh, bat and told me to get out. And I was already on the phone with my dad. I just wanted him to hear everything was that was going on so he could be my witness. And uh I tried running over to the couch area and she at me and hit me in the back with the vat. I tried jumping over the couch, hit me in my arm and on my uh elbow and I ran outside and I was just yelling at her and she uh I think she tried she tried to grab the it was a BB gun rifle in the corner. She tried grabbing it on me and I grabbed it from her and I threw it in the lake and I said, "Um, what you're doing isn't right." The medics determined the boy's injuries were not serious, but still offered to take him to the hospital for X-rays to be more certain. In the meantime, Maria tried to show footage of her son going outside with the BB gun, believing it would justify her actions since she wasn't a flight risk. At some point, the officers removed her handcuffs. >> This started with my daughter. Her and my younger son were arguing about popcorn. I I don't know. Just little kid stuff. So, she got upset and that's why you see her out here throwing rocks because I told her she wasn't coming back inside of the house. So, she was out here throwing rocks. Uh, running around here. That's why >> just playing around throwing rocks. >> No, being malicious, throwing throwing rocks trying to be defiant because she didn't want to listen >> to what I was telling her to do. on your ticketain >> again. Okay. All >> right. >> Okay. >> Do we have grandma on the way? >> She's on the way, but I don't want to know what she think. Where am I going? >> You're not going anywhere. I've been doing this for your detain. >> Okay. So, can I be detained? Right. Okay. Okay, buddy. >> This is why we don't want to be right here cuz they >> But can you close the door then? Maria was taken outside and placed in the squad car while the officers spoke with the children. Their statements pretty much confirmed the teenage boy's version of events. However, Maria had her own version. According to her, the situation stemmed from her older children being disobedient. >> Okay, Miss Mil, can you just tell me what happened today? >> My son doesn't want to listen. >> Mhm. >> That's basically what it boils down to in a nutshell. >> Okay. >> He wants to be the man of a house when he's not a man. >> Uhhuh. and he doesn't say he doesn't listen. He's very disrespectful. He's telling me um what I can and cannot do in regards to him being inside my house, >> which then I proceeded to tell him that he was free to go. He was just with his father this weekend. I told him to stay there. >> Mhm. >> Him and his sister. He said, "Don't listen." He was like in my face, which is why I had the bat in my hand. and he ran through my living room, tossed over a table, went through the side um on my couches where this table was, and the BB gun is in the corner, >> and he grabbed the BB gun and ran out the door with it. She was still outside on the phone with my mother, >> and I then locked the the gate behind him. Once he ran out with the beat. >> Mhm. >> He then you can hear him on the thing telling her to open the gate and that I I effed up now because I hit him with the bat, which I did not. >> Maria Smith only admitted to smashing her son's phone with the bat, saying it was her phone. Even though she denied ever striking her son with the bat, she was ultimately arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse. On April 17th, 2023, police were dispatched to a private residence following reports of a child with visible injuries. When the officers arrived, they were met by the boy's father in the parking lot. >> All right. What's going on? >> I went to the store to get my stuff. He now string with a mouth bleed. He locked in the car now. >> He's locked in the car. Or are you locked? >> I locked him in there. He was chasing him. >> Okay. >> Well, now you over there with his mouth bleed. She don't >> Hey, ma'am. How you doing? >> Hello. >> What's going on today? >> Nothing. I don't know. >> Everybody good? >> Yeah, I'm fine. I'm I'm good. >> Who Who lives here, ma'am? >> What's that? >> YOU CAN STAND RIGHT HERE. >> OKAY. Where's the year you were born at? Say where's your son at? >> No. Nobody's here. He's okay. Everything is okay. Stupid. This is my house. I just got off. Just work. Matter of fact, I just get up and work and go. I'm not going. All right. Well, no. >> I just want to make sure your son is okay. Talk to him. Come here. Come here. >> Where's Hey, where's your son at? >> Talk to dummy. Talk to the stupid one. >> Where she's still at? >> I I'm going to go get him. >> Okay. >> When she realized someone called the officer, the woman, later identified as Fisha, quickly retreated inside her house. But that did not last for long. As the officers talked to the boy's father, she stepped out again and started interrupting, claiming the father was the abusive one. >> She high or drunk both. >> Both. Kind of forcing to eat some food. So I leave to get him some food. Come back. >> His mouth bleeding. Did she not the house? >> Does she live here with you? You guys married? >> I haven't been here. He was your brother. >> Just go inside. If you need you, we'll grab you. Okay. What's Daddy? You want to take a breath for me? Take a nice deep breath. There you go. Another one. Another one. Help calm me down. Can you tell me what happened? >> My mouth. It has a hole in it. >> Your mouth has a hole in it. Hit >> on my foot. >> What's What happened to your foot? >> She hit it. >> She hit your foot. What she hit your foot with? >> It's a piece of glass. >> She hit your foot with a piece of glass. You didn't step on a piece of glass. No, you hit your foot with a piece of glass. So, what happened to your mouth? >> She put a finger nails in it and he started pissing me hard in the mouth. Did she piss you hard in the mouth? >> I see. Anything else that she ate in the face? >> No, she just punched me in the face. >> As the boy opened up and started talking about what happened, apart from the assault itself, the strangest thing about the situation was the reason it happened in the first place. >> No. So, so kind of what happened. So, was she making dinner? >> Oh, she just she just made leftovers and she put weird stuff in it >> and you didn't want to eat it. So, then what' she say? She said, "I have to go to bed cuz I didn't eat it." >> Uh-huh. And then what happened? >> And she said, "I'm going to be in bed." She changed to the go to bed. Then she came to my room. >> She came to your room. >> Yeah. Punch my mouth and punch me in the face. I think I was cut here right here. >> Yeah. You got any other injuries? You know? No. Cuz you got like a little little cut right here underneath your eye. Right. No. Other side. So you feel that? >> Is that something new? >> Yes. But it doesn't really hurt. >> Huh? >> It doesn't really hurt. It doesn't hurt. Yeah. Can you kind of like pull your lip so I can see your lip? >> Anything on the other foot? >> No. >> Are you overall okay though? Calm down a little bit. Good. Good. Just sit tight, buddy. Okay. >> The little boy clearly [snorts] had a very traumatic experience at the hands of his mom. But he wasn't the only one who got assaulted that day. As the father stepped between him and his mom, he also got injured. >> What's that look like to you? >> I don't know. He's saying she bit him. >> So, what's she say? >> Well, she's drunk. She don't want me on her porch. She's not cooperative. Then you guys are in a relationship, right? >> Yeah. I went to get him some meat from the gas station. >> 5 10 minutes I come back, keep running this way. She chasing >> How about this right here? So you see like I mean that looks like a scratch to me. Is that Did she scratch you there or what happened there? >> N that's all I know. >> So you came you you came back to the house. >> Mhm. >> And she was chasing after your boy and then what happened? >> I blocked off. I said leave him alone and she bit me and I locked him in the car. You know, I know she's drunk and all that stuff, you know, but that that gives that does not give her the right to behave this way, you know. You know, obviously it'll be a domestic for biting you, you know, and then the child. So, she going to have to go to jail tonight because of that. >> All right. >> Once the officers got their statements from the victim and his father, it was time to deal with Fisha. Since they didn't have a warrant, they asked the father if he would allow them inside. Still, they didn't just barge in and make an arrest. They took a more tactical approach. Hey, Fisha. What happened? >> Nothing. >> How you doing, sir? >> Hello. >> What happened today? >> Nothing. It's just I just got off work. I work at Go. >> Yeah. >> And I just got home. The kids just got off school. His daddy work in U-Haul. His brother and his wife. Yeah. >> His brother and his wife just got evicted from their house. And his brother >> 3.4 come up in here. And that's what this situation is about. >> Okay. But this is lit. My son, this is my dad. >> My son. This is me. >> This is great. He's here. Thank you. >> This is my my son right here. >> Yeah. Yeah. What you have to drink today? >> You've been drinking today or what's going on? >> I just get off at [clears throat] 3:00. I got home. >> So, what happened to your son? >> I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. [clears throat] And he jumped on my baby. He jumped on me and tried to and I tried to get him off me and then he said he had to say if he get him off me. >> Okay. Fisha's speech was slurred. She barely made any sense. Since getting a clear statement from [music] her proved to be difficult, the officer moved in for an arrest. His approach was smooth, but once Fisha realized what was going on, she didn't like it one bit. >> Can I see that picture real quick? Where's your show at? Let me see. >> Let me see. >> Let me see. >> Can you hold it for me? All right. So, here's the deal. All right. So, you're going to go to jail for domestic tonight. Okay. >> I didn't do anything. >> It's okay. Just relax. >> No. No, you're not. No, no, no, no, no. >> Wait, wait, wait, wait. What? What are you arresting me for? [laughter] >> This is my house, though. >> WAIT, WAIT. WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT. NO, NO, NO. >> It was not going to suck me out of there. >> Okay. No, you're not. >> The very intoxicated woman was no match for the two officers. They quickly overpowered and handcuffed her. However, that was only the start. They still had to escort her outside, put her in the squad car, and take her to jail. And she was not going to make it easy for them. >> Okay. >> DON'T NO, YOU'RE NOT. >> GET OUT OF THERE. You want to take your shoes with you or no? >> Oh, no. Let me go. >> Let me die. Let >> film my ears. >> She did. >> Yeah. >> OKAY. All right. All right. >> Let's go get in the car. Okay. >> No. >> You ready to go sit in the car? >> Let me go. >> Let me go, D. walk. >> You going to fight me? >> Nobody's fighting. >> You are. >> You want to sit down on the ground or what? >> You want to sit down on the ground? >> How about you sit in the car? >> Put the cuffs off me. Put the cuffs off me. Call your sergeant. >> Let's go to the car and we'll talk about it. All right. >> She collapsed several times until the officers managed to get her to the squad car where she pleaded with the officers to not take her to jail. Strangely enough, at some point she apologized to the cops for causing them trouble. But not once did she express remorse for hurting her son. >> Give me any reason to where you come to my house and do anything. My my [clears throat] narcissist >> Well, the reason is somebody called 911. All right. Because you have your child and you >> All right. That's why we're here. Okay. >> I don't want to go to jail. I want I'll be good at I swear [laughter] I want I I want it. I'm sorry for causing you guys in trouble. Tina, >> my name is Tanner. I'm going to be your ride. Okay. >> I'm going to be your ride tonight. Step out for me. >> These are going to tighten up. Unless you don't do that, >> I'm telling you. I'm telling you. Call >> your Don't put the [ __ ] I'm telling you that. Well, we going to walk. You going to rap? >> [ __ ] we want to rap. >> After that final act of defiance, Fisha was subdued and taken to jail. She was charged with domestic abuse and child endangerment. On December 24th, 2023, a neighbor found a 10-year-old girl wandering the streets. She immediately called 911, and it wasn't long before the first unit rolled in. >> Explain to me, which you live in, building 23. >> I do. Okay. And then she ran out when you were coming home. >> Um, yeah. So, I I don't know if Well, I guess you came from that way, but uh I came from the other entrance and I was going up the hill. >> Okay. >> Before I turned left to go down this hill, she was just standing at the corner waving me down >> like out on the street. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, I pulled over, rolled down my window, and she asked me if I could drive her somewhere. And so, I wasn't sure if it was her house or anything. And so I just had her come sit in the vehicle so I could see how far it was and ask her all these questions. >> It's about an hour away. It's her grandpa's. I didn't feel comfortable without her mom knowing. So I I told her we're just going to call the police and see what they can do. She just doesn't feel safe going home. >> Sure. Does she know where she lives? Like her >> Yeah, she uh she lives in these apartments just >> up the hill. >> Up the hill. Okay. >> The woman explained that the girl had a clearly visible bruise on her forehead. Apparently, after some casual chatting, the girl opened up and explained that her mom abused her on a regular basis. After the officer finished questioning the witness, it was time to talk to the little girl. >> And Anak was telling me that you you live around here. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Kind of far. >> Um Well, I mean, just tell me what's what's happening. What's going on? Um, this morning I got up, my mom told me start cleaning the house of a plane from the last time I started to clean. I woke up, she told me clean. And today she said that we both see Seattle lights. >> But then she like know where I could go. And then um, you have to take out garbage. And she told me to look for something. She told me in the her shoe or whatever in the car and then I couldn't find it and I said it wasn't there and then she said she shut up and then she put me in the corner and then she started hitting me and then she kicked me and she told me to stay in the corner and the top is often >> okay >> she has PTSD from the military. >> Okay, >> she always gets credit for >> no reasons. >> The officer was very good at building rapport with the victim. He also knew that hitting someone can mean different things to different people, especially a little girl. So, he wanted her to explain what that meant for her. >> She hits like this. >> Yeah. >> Sometimes she uses a fence and like does this like that. And this morning when she told me to go to the corner, she pushes my head to like the wall corner part. >> Yeah. >> And sometimes when she tells me to go to the corner, she goes to sleep and she forgets to tell me to get out of the corner and she forgets to tell me. So sometimes I just stand there all day until I fall asleep and then the next morning she told me to get out of bed or get out of the corner and then she tells me to start cleaning again. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. >> She hits me a lot. Even we used to live in with my grandpa. >> Yeah. >> He used to take care of me when my mom used to work. >> Is that that's who you were trying to go visit now? You were trying to get to your grandpa >> so he could talk to her. He's the only person that she'll listen to. Felissa, too. But after a while, she just goes back to normal. >> Okay. >> According to the girl, her father left when she was three. She had half siblings, but they lived with their respective fathers. Interestingly enough, she almost sounded like she was finding ways to explain, if not justify, why her mother was acting the way she was. >> My brothers and sisters is, they're my half brothers and sisters. So, their dad took them away. And so, my mom has a lot of trauma. And there my dad used to beat her. >> Oh, okay. >> Cuz he was a drunk. >> Wow. >> So my mom had a lot of trauma >> and so she just takes it out of me and she told me that the reason why he left was because of me. >> Wow. Yeah. That's that's horrible. I'm sorry. You said she pushed your head in the corner. >> Yeah. >> Did your head hit like the wall or anything? >> Yes, it did. >> Could you show me where? >> Right here. [snorts] >> Okay. And she hits me a lot and I I never I'm kind of afraid what I'm going to walk her. >> You said she did she hit you other than that today. >> She kicked me. I fell asleep reading a book when I was supposed to be cleaning and she kicked me with her she had shoes on. She's about to leave. So she kicked me and it hit me really hard in the stomach cuz I was like this like and I had the book like this cuz I was like laying down reading the book and she kicked me in the stomach and I haven't ate all day. Oh, it really hurt. >> To make the situation even more heartbreaking, the little girl hadn't actually run away. She told her mom she didn't want to be there and asked if she would even care. Her mom said she wouldn't and continued watching a movie. The girl then left and even locked the door behind her. Concerned about her injuries, the officer asked if she would be okay with medics checking her out. >> They bring like a cool fire truck and everything. Show up in uniform. That's cool. Um, >> my mom hits me a lot. Yeah. >> He used to live in a trailer because my mom couldn't afford a house. And the reason why I wanted from my grandpa cuz he used to take care of these before. >> What's What's the name of your mom? >> Darla. >> Yeah. She went to jail before like three other times. >> Yeah. >> For she broke the sign on the reservation. She went to jail because uh she said she went to a PTSD game. She started hitting a sign. She went to jail before. >> You ever been been in a ride in a cop car? You can sit in the front seat. You won't you want to? >> Maybe we'll turn the lights on for you. >> They won't even put you in [laughter] handcuffs. >> They made me wear handcuffs. >> So, how you want to contact um after we drop her off? Cuz she said that records can record and then we'll run out here and >> Yeah. >> Do you guys need a phone number? I know her phone number. >> Your mom's number. >> Oh, that'd be great. >> Oh, yeah. What's up? >> I know it. >> Dude, you're the smartest. We talk to grown-ups all the time that don't know all this stuff. How you doing? >> Doing great. Thank you so much for coming. >> All right. What's your mom's number? >> The officers decided to take the girl to the station until child protective services takes over and gets her to her grandpa. When the officers got to her mom's house, they found her outside with a flashlight searching for her daughter. >> Yeah. I walked up to I walked down to the playground and up there. >> What's your name? >> Darla. >> Are you looking for >> Yes. >> Oh my gosh. Okay. Come on, William. 12. We're getting flagged down by Darla. Oh my gosh. You live right here. >> You got that light. >> Thank you. All right. Cell phone. >> No weapons on your door. >> No, I don't. She can't find my daughter. It come off. It does come off there. >> Did you guys find my daughter? >> We did. [sighs] >> Where was she at? [gasps] >> Hey, Darla. Right now, uh, at this time, you're under arrest for assault. >> For assault? We were I didn't move our stuff and take garbage out. >> The officers wasted no time in detaining Darla and she didn't appear to be surprised. She just started panting as if having a panic attack and appeared to be very worried about the well-being of her daughter. >> We're moving stuff. They took out the trash and we were trying to I asked my daughter to go look and see if there's any open available parking >> and she came in town. I told me no. But then she said she was going to go to the room. once I got up cuz we had a lot of stuff cuz the trash had piled up and every time we go to the door it gets in the way. So we took it down there came back up and we're waiting for a spot to >> Does she get upset with you? Like it sounds like sounds like there was definitely an an argument that happened between you and her and I'm trying to find out the extent of it. >> You know, >> the only thing that came up was about she wanted to go back home. >> I totally can't go. >> Did you have to discipline her? >> No. Have you disciplined her before? >> Oh, no. >> I mean, she's she's an 8-year-old kid. Like, yeah, you have. >> She's 10 years old. >> Oh, I'm sorry. She's a 10-y old kid. Like, yeah, you have. To say you haven't is is crazy, right? Every mother's discipline their kid by the time they're 10 years old. >> The officer wanted to sound relatable to get Darla to finally be honest and confess that she might have taken things too far. However, she had an explanation for the injuries and claimed her daughter was just a very active kid. >> All right, let me ask you this. Okay. >> Why? Why would we find, you know, markings on body? >> Because she's an active girl. She plays around. She tries sports. We were Okay. We were at a Christmas party. They were lifting. >> Hey, Darla. Darla. Darla, I'm going to I'm just going to hit pause real quick. I'm going to hit pause. Hold on. Hold on. >> Okay. >> I just Darla, just just pay attention to what I'm about to say. Okay. >> We're We're the police department. Okay. We We Hold on. We've done a full investigation. We are still doing a very thorough investigation, okay? And we're going to continue. So, I want to ask this, okay? If we go in your apartment, okay, are we going to see evidence that was hit anything at all? >> Okay. Saturday or Friday, we went to a Christmas party. They were lifting her up. Uh my friend's daughter, Jen, tried to carry her. She fell back with li. The other 9-year-old who was celebrated who had just celebrated her birthday was trying to carry and kept trying to lift her up. They kept falling back. >> The girl was put in the care of DCF while waiting for her grandfather to pick her up. As for her mom, she kept denying disciplining her daughter, let alone abusing her. She was arrested and charged with assault of a child in the third degree. When child abuse takes place in a home, it usually happens behind closed doors. One 12-year-old boy finally decided to escape that situation after enduring 6 years of abuse at the hands of his mother. Once he found himself on the street, the first friendly person he bumped into was Lisa. >> I'm Lisa. >> I'm Jason. Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet you. >> Can you explain what happened? I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um, so I I live in this neighborhood and I saw for a walk and he came riding up to me super fast and he stopped and he was crying and he said, "Can you help me?" My mom me I need help. She's going to come after me. Okay. >> I looked at his back and I'm like, "Oh my god." I'm like, "Yeah, come with me." >> So he kind of eyid the police. >> He's been talking to me. I've been asking questions. I used to be a probation officer in court. So >> understands him in the process. >> I was mother single carrots >> babysits kids are at home. said that's scary. >> Yep. >> Won't let him eat unless he does his chores. She hasn't eaten since last night. She's been abusing him for years. She smokes weed and other drinks in the house. She acts crazy, you know. >> Um her name is Stephanie Miller. >> Okay. >> She has a sister in Saraveville named Sierra. Um >> no dad could be but he's pretty he's pretty opa He finally he plays football. He's finally >> he had to wear long sleeves shirts to Philadelphia. I get it. I get it. I'll talk with him. >> The boy was lucky to run into someone very competent. Lisa knew what to do and who to call and managed to get the boy to open up. After he was checked by the medics, officer Jason approached him and asked him about the details of what had happened. >> Hey, I'm Jason. What was your answer? >> Sorry to hear about what's going on. >> Yeah. >> Uh, how long has this been going on? >> 6 years almost. Nothing happened since I was like six. >> I'm okay. >> Um yeah, really young. >> Okay, I got you. >> I can help. >> You're okay. Hey, something wants you to know. We're here to help. Well, we're going to shine. I should figure out what's going on. Okay. >> Uh I'm Forgive me. I just got here. It sounds like you've already explained what's going on to her and it sounds a little bit the medics as well. I do have to ask a couple of questions though. Does that make sense? >> It's probably going to be some of the same questions I see as the same questions they asked. Does that make sense though? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, really quick, uh, from what they've told me, it sounds like, is it your mom? >> Yes. >> Got your name. What's her name? >> Stephanie Miller. >> Stephanie Miller. >> Gotcha. U It sounds as though she has hurt you a couple times with extension cords and other things. And that's what caused these marks on your arm and your back. Is that correct? >> Okay. And the last time that this happened was today or last night. Officer Jason kept reassuring the boy that everything would be okay and asked if there was a family member he could stay with. The saddest part was that the boy's main concern was being taken back to his mother. >> Nope. She's not she's not going to come at all. She's not going to come near you for the time being. Okay. And you don't got to worry about that right now. >> It might be my her sister, but I don't >> Okay. Do you know? So, is it your aunt? >> Yeah. >> Is your aunt aware of what's been going on? >> No. No one in my no one is anywhere. Okay. So, we're going to try and make contact with your aunt and see if she's okay with you staying with her. Uh, and we're going to go from there. Okay. Could I trouble you really quick for your first and last name? >> Um, yeah. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. No worries at all. Really quick, is there anybody else in the house other than your mom? >> No, just me and my mom. There is um we have four. >> Okay. >> Like miniature [ __ ] up here. So, we have nine puppies. No, five puppies. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And nine in total. >> Okay. Yeah. No worries at all. Thank you very much. We're going to get you in the back of the medic really quick. They're going to start looking at some of that stuff. I'll get a couple quick photos. We are We are going to transport you to uh children's. >> Yep. >> Since the boy had open wounds on his back from being whipped with an extension cord, the medics felt it was best to get him to Dayton's Children Hospital and have a doctor evaluate his injuries. In the meantime, the officers headed to the boy's home address and found Stephanie Miller in the driveway. At first, she thought her son had gotten into trouble. >> What? Where's he at? What's going on? >> So, he was a couple streets over. He was requesting that someone call the cops because of some of the injuries he sustained. >> He got a weapon. >> I got you. Um, so by all means, you can do the parenting that you see fit. >> Okay. The uh the hard part is is he has open gashes on his back and and scars from where you've where you've lashed him. And so you are going to be currently under arrest. Okay. >> Go ahead and drop what's in your hands. Put your hands behind your back. Can you please? Yes, ma'am. I am serious. >> Yes, ma'am. Go ahead and drop what's [music] in your hands, please. >> Give me Hold on a second. >> Yeah, we can put all this back in your car. Yeah. >> Do I need any ID or anything? >> Uh I will I will grab your ID really quick. That's okay with you. Is there anything else that needs to go? Is there a reason you have a >> steak knife in your [music] purse? >> It's for detection. I'll go hiking. So, >> okay, >> that's fine. You would you like this stuff in the car? You said, >> "Do you want your keys with you or your wallet?" >> I'm under arrest. >> Yes, ma'am. You are. >> Astonishingly, instead of being worried about the open gashes on her son's back, Stephanie was more concerned about getting arrested. She expressed a tiny bit of concern for his well-being when she asked to call her sister to come pick him up from the hospital. Even so, her main concern was going to jail. >> Am I being charged with something? >> Yes. Domestic violence. >> Say you say it again. I'm sorry. >> I'm being charged with something. >> Yep. >> Yes, ma'am. >> At the very least, you're being charged with assault, if not more. >> Yes, ma'am. >> You can't beat someone like that. >> Anything in here? >> No. Don't worry. Uh, it's at the hospital. >> Stephanie did not object or resist the arrest. She was mirandized but not questioned right away. The officers called Stephanie's sister, Sierra, to pick him up from the hospital. At that point, they discussed potential charges and what would come next. >> Other than that, uh, I will take her to Grant County. Um, I need to call Klein really quick cuz I need to I need to figure out what charges she's okay with. Um, >> I'd say DV. >> DV assault abuse and child abuse are the three that I'm currently thinking of. But I want to make sure I don't forget something and make sure he's cool with those charges. >> Child neglect. >> Uh, that one's endangerment and neglect are hard sometimes. And so I don't know. >> You might as well stick with it and let figure it out. Yeah, >> I don't think she likes me very much. So if you'd be so kind just to walk her into our FBo statement and ask, uh, Asa, can you tell me what happened today? a don't don't give her anything that he said, but let her kind of fill in the blanks. Uh if she's not being very cooperative, ask where he got the marks from uh or however he wants it. >> As instructed, the female officer proceeded to question Stephanie. The key to this interrogation was not to assert blame, but try to confirm facts. Remarkably enough, she did not hide the fact that she used extreme measures like hitting her son with a belt or an extension cord. >> All right, ma'am. Um, so what exactly happened? What's the I don't know what all happened. I don't >> I I'm sorry. I did go too far. He hid the belt. I usually would have whoop him with a belt. >> Mhm. >> Um, and it's I never whooped him as bad. So I I probably did go a little too far with disciplining him, but I didn't realize he had any any um like you said, he had open rooms or something. I didn't realize he had that. And I just looked up and I noticed he had left, you know. So I was going I was about to leave and go look for him. >> Um he got in trouble and he got his PlayStation to look in his phone. >> Okay. What he did to get in trouble? >> He wasn't doing his chores and he was playing with his gang instead of >> Okay, I got you. >> Um I'm sorry. Hey, things happened. It might have sounded like the officer let her off the hook too easily, but that was just a tactic to keep Stephanie calm and cooperative. Although they established that she had beaten her son recently, the officer asked about some of the older scars. >> Now, there was some previous scoring on him. What was that from? >> Um, he's an active kid. He climbed trees and he hiked and you I mean he was running. >> I mean, it was whips all around his body, so don't lie to me. Okay. He got in trouble for like acting up. So, >> okay. Is this a repetitive thing? >> He's been acting up since me and my ex broke up [ __ ] in February. >> Is this something he's going through or >> is it like acting up really badly way going all the way to the neighborhood by the hospital without permission? >> Like sewing. >> He I mean he's just been acting up even in his braids or spool. um sneaking talking to girls, you know, that he met online that he's not supposed to talk this like he's he's just kind of been getting out of control and I've been on everything we can discip this like be a good mom. >> Like most abusers, Stephanie failed to acknowledge any of her wrongdoings. In her eyes, she was a single mom trying to raise a troublesome child the best that she could. Instead of openly reprimanding her, the officer tried to give her a subtle lesson in parenting. >> Some kids don't take well to physical discipline. Um, so it's just about changing up and how you do that. You can't just I mean you flat out it looks like you beat him. Okay. Um, and no child should go through that. No person should go through that. Okay. >> Right. Um, >> um, but um, as far as everything else, um, do you babysit for a living? >> I don't. Okay. Um, do you have anyone coming over today? >> Not today. I mean, if they try to drop the kids off and I'm not here, the >> Right. That's on them, but >> figure it out. I can't I can't call out people I babysit for, >> right? >> But, >> okay. Um, I'm just going to be blunt with you. Do you discipline any other children? >> No, never. Just my son. >> Okay. Is that your only kid? >> That's my only child. >> Okay. Um, all right. How do you discipline other children? >> I don't discipline other children. >> You just let them go. >> I mean, I I [music] don't put my hand on it. I don't >> yell at them or be like, "Hey, don't do that." or something like that. >> I tell them to sit down. >> Stephanie tried to say that the kids she babysat acted better than her son and didn't need any disciplining. And even though she blamed her son for acting up, she admitted to using physical punishment. She got charged with domestic violence, assault, and child abuse. On October 26th, 2025, a young girl called the police after witnessing her parents argue for 2 days. When the officers arrived, she claimed her mom had attacked her dad, then locked herself in the bathroom. >> My mom locked herself in the restroom. So, >> and dad, >> he's in the room cleaning up. She kind of threw everything everywhere. So, yeah. >> I don't know. So, I don't know. Like, I don't know. They've been fighting for 2 days now. It's just getting like she's throwing stuff and he's like trying to get her to stop throwing stuff. It's just >> Can you get one of them to come out here and talk to me? >> Hey, what's going on? >> Good. How are you? >> I'm doing all right. >> What's going on? >> Uh, my wife came in and hit me in the face and started throwing all my stamp everywhere. So, I don't know. I didn't mind smelling bad. You >> mind explaining to me a little bit more? >> Oh, what? She She hit me in the face and started throwing myself, >> right? I just just more details about exactly what's going on. >> Oh, she's mad cuz I she told me to go out with some friends last night. So, I went out with them. I came back. She was upset. >> Supposedly, the wife left after they had an argument. She returned as her husband was cleaning his old records that she had thrown all over the place. Apparently that's when she decided to assault him. >> She came in and said, "F this, this is how it's going to go." Hit me in the face, push me out of the chair, and started throwing her out of here. Wack right here. >> No, just come down here, please. >> He can come inside. >> I have to go in. There's no reason for >> He can come inside. >> I want him to come inside so he can see that it was just things thrown. Please come inside, sir, if you would like. Can I talk to you? >> She's 18. She's in the [snorts] go. >> So, sir, I I mean, so what what we need is a conversation without you two being right next to each other is is what we're what we want. >> I can show you the >> Yep. You want just make sure cleaning up. There's a good time on it. I was I had this on the bench. This thing destroyed my restroom. The officers looked at the mess and immediately realized that the female must have been extremely angry. The officer kept asking for more details because it looked much more serious than a simple family dispute. >> You guys break separating out. >> I didn't think we were, but uh apparently >> maybe now because Yeah. >> went out. She went out and they were doing they went to that zombie walk thing and I went out with my friends that are side by side. We ended up we were at the pizza place, had a couple of beers and they showed up there and she got upset. We were in a group in a booth with a group of people just talking and then we left went to the >> So there she showed up to NYP NYP is almost >> so she with the kids and her friend. >> Okay. And then the scene there. This was last night scene. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. It was >> So everything was fine last night. >> Yeah. Come home then she threatens on me to call the cops if you don't leave. So I left and went to my in-laws, came back this morning. She wanted to talk and then we talked and then she said you I was going to leave but I was like well why am I I didn't do anything wrong. I'm not going to leave. So then she left and then like I said she came back and then all this happened. So >> even though the officer still didn't know what had started the argument. He could piece together the chain of events as they unfolded. But the really important part was to determine who assaulted whom first. >> Did you at any time grab her or touch her or anything like that? No. >> So she's not going to have a statement that >> Yeah. I didn't even put my hands above. Just let her push me around when I I mean, you see I'm 230 lb. She's like 150 or so. So, I'm not going to raise my hand. >> There's no need. She can't really hurt me. So, let go. Isabella, what what did you see? >> Um, so I heard go outside. >> Okay. Me and mad over the conversation about who was going to leave. So, it wasn't an agreed statement that my father was going to leave the house. we were having a conversation as a family. Um, she decides that she's going to leave. She grabs all of her stuff, takes it, goes, I don't know where she went. So, I'm sitting on the couch. We're talking, it's my little brother's birthday, so we're talking about what we're going to do for his birthday. Um, doing my homework, and then um she comes in, busts in the door, goes straight to her room where my dad is. Um, he she starts arguing. They start arguing with each other. Um, I immediately go over there like from the couch to the room. Um, the door is locked. So, I unlock the door. I walk in and my dad's like, "Your mom just punched me. Your mom just punched me in the eye." I look at his eye. It's visibly red. So, I asked her, "Why did you put your hands on my dad?" Then she's throwing stuff. There's stuff everywhere. Throwing stuff off the table. Throwing stuff out of his bathroom. Even though their daughter Isabella did not see the actual fight between her parents, she stated that her mother pushed her as she stormed out. Isabella was the most credible witness to the ordeal. And it seems she knew the real reason her mom got so angry. >> I guess it started last night or what not. Whatever cuz he was at a bar with some girl. She caught him, whatever. Carried over to today and um he showed up. Um they started arguing and then [music] she was like, "You need to leave." He's like, "Okay, I'll leave." And then he changed his mind. So she ended up leaving 30 minutes, came back. When she came back, he was in the room sitting on the chair. >> Uhhuh. >> And then she came in and then started arguing again. You need to leave. He wouldn't look at her. And she said that uh she was like, "Look at me. Look at me." And she wouldn't look at her. So she like went with her. She did the gesture. She went like that and like she like, "Look at me." and then like I guess poked him or like moved his face and he's like look at me and then he finally looked at her and then they started arguing again. She started throwing stuff from the bed and then she went to the restroom all his toiletries threw them on the floor and then she went back stood between the door frame of their bedroom and that's when he was like you just punished me. I'm going to call the cops. >> The officers concluded that all three parties basically said the same thing. The only difference in their statements was the amount of force used. Mom claimed she turned dad's head with her finger. Dad claimed she punched him, pushed him, and when he didn't fall out of the chair, she continued pushing until he did. >> All right, ma'am. You're going to go to jail for batter on a household member. You going to stand up for me? Hands [snorts] around your back, please. >> No, baby. You know, I'm fine. Uh, Ra from punch to poke. >> You call me like punch. >> Do you have any draw or anything on you? >> No. >> Take your phone. >> Your phone. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Um, I said it's going to be sort of your choice to the super garden. You have to do it. Maybe down the stairs. >> Um, yeah. You have you have a bunch of family out here. >> Okay, that's okay. Yeah, I called my dad, too. I was like, "Dad, he said I punched him. You look at my hands." I said, "Dad, I didn't punch him." >> But listen, >> I'll poke him in the eyeball. He's doing the worst. >> I'll let them come and come to the vehicle and talk to you at some point, but right now, they just need to stay away from us. Okay. >> No. Yeah, that's cool. I don't even need to talk. >> The officers were convinced they had enough probable cause to make an arrest for domestic battery. That means they can make an arrest and file charges even though there was no clear evidence of a crime. After that, it would be up to the prosecutor and the courts to decide if the suspect was guilty or not. >> But also guys, like that's his words against mine. >> I get it, ma'am. But >> okay, >> with the with the evidence and the statements that we have, >> it's uh >> and my daughter did not even see me punch him. That's it. She wasn't in the row. Slip to the side. >> You okay? Did I hurt? >> Oh, yes. >> I got a seat belt in the >> As per the officer's statements, the suspect was booked and charged with domestic battery. She was processed and had to wait for a judge to be bonded out. After that, she was given a court date with the possibility of the family being separated until the trial was over. On March 17th, 2025, police received a call about a father chasing his son down the street. When the officers got there, they realized it was a man named Christopher who they already had previous encounters with. >> Christopher, why are we back out here? >> Oh, we're not. We're not. We're not. for for out. >> Yeah. How'd you get that? >> Glass. >> Yeah. He wants to throw glass around. >> Hey. Hey, boss man. >> That's not what happened. I got cut. >> Let's talk over here. Christopher, let's talk over here. >> No, it's not a big deal. It was >> No, it it is a big deal cuz something is >> cuz we're we're coming back out here again. There's clearly the car has been destroyed. [music] Whose car is this? >> Mine. >> Okay. Why did you do that? I'm not talking to you. >> Please, ma'am. Please. All right. Ma'am, please. >> What happened? >> He's okay. So, why did [music] you come and break the windows? How much have you had to drink? >> I haven't had any more than that, babe. >> No. So, why did you come and destroy the vehicle? Or at least the windows? >> Because she said she's just going to sell it to her, my friend. I got to mushroom. Okay. Like, like like honestly like this. Even though he apparently went on a rampage in his own home, Christopher tried to downplay the damage and avoid giving any straight answers. Furthermore, he not so subtly instructed his son not to say anything. >> All all bull side, we need to shut the I'm going to leave. >> No one's free to go right now. No one's free to go. >> Just be quieter. Just go home. >> Nobody's free to go. >> No, just go home. I'm going to go home. >> Christopher, no one's free to go right now. >> So tell me what happened from step by step chronological order. That's all I remember. >> There's no He is not. >> All right. You're just being detained. Same as last time. Put your hands behind your back. >> Good. >> Put your hands behind your back. >> Where's the other female at? Where's your ex? Where's your wife? >> I don't I don't know. >> Is she here? >> I don't know. Honestly, she maybe >> Hey, face me, Christopher. >> We're good. We're good. >> We need to We We had an irritation. We're good. >> We're not good, but we will work it out. >> Hey, you're not. You're in there. >> Christopher, look at me. Talk to me. Did it get physical between you guys? No, no, he did not get physical. >> Did you see? Were you here for when everything happened? >> Okay. >> No, nothing was physical. >> Since both men were potential flight risks, the officers decided to detain them until they got to the bottom of things. However, seeing Christopher being detained, his new girlfriend, Amber, thought it was smart to intervene. >> Guess what? It's his house. If he wants to destroy, >> you know, you can go you can go back to your car, Amber. Amber, >> go back to your car. >> I don't have a car. That's fine. That's fine. Come here. Um, my first stop fighting stop fighting. Stop fighting. Stop. Get on your stomach. Don't kick me. >> Get on your back. Get on your Get on your stomach. Get on your stomach. On your stomach. >> Stand on your >> Stop fighting your Amber. Calm down. >> Please calm down. Amber, >> it's okay. Amber, calm down. Please calm down. >> I can't help you. >> Will you take my Will you take my >> Stop. Stop. I got to lock him. I have to lock him. >> Stop moving. >> I didn't do anything. So, there's no reason for you to >> You're going to stay right there. >> That's fine. After resisting and striking the officer in the head, Amber was taken into custody. After that, Christopher's ex-wife returned home and showed the officers the extent of the damage he had made. >> He said he's he's drunk, so it's >> and he's on probation. This is what happens when he drinks and he says he's moving. >> I even let him have the new girlfriend. >> Yeah, it's 52. And then >> what? >> It's our signal for battery. >> I've been telling him how >> All right, let's step outside so we we can do that. Let's get let's step outside so we can get away from the glass. Okay, >> then every room is the same. >> I'm going to take a look. Just just you're good. You got you got sandals on. >> Okay. >> And she came in, took my clothes like this is what they live for. I told him to go be happy. You know, supposedly he's got a new house. I said then why do you come back to do this? Cuz he lives for this. >> Yeah. >> He won't let go. >> I hear you. Oh, >> this your room? >> Yeah. >> Here, I'll give you a light. >> Yeah. And I did try I did try to prevent him. >> How did you do that? I just stood right over him and said no because that's when he put his on me first. >> Where was right here? Okay. So, he made it inside while you were still trying to stop. >> Oh, yeah. And my son pretty pretty well takes care of that. >> Okay. >> I tried not to get in between him, but I can't help it. >> Okay. You want to put your shoes on right here. That way you don't get your I'm just worried about your feet. I don't want you get any more injuries. Okay. Let's go outside. Let's go take some deep breaths. Oh, she's going to jail me. >> Good. >> Eventually, a supervisor arrived. So, the officer did his best to explain the dysfunctional family dynamic. The first question was, who was the woman in the backseat of the squad car? >> So, what what caused that? >> So, she was she's extremely signal, too. She comes out of that car screaming at whoever is going to listen right next to the guy with the Christopher we have detained. And I'm like, you can go back over there. So, no, I'm going to stand right here. I'm like, okay. So, I go to detainer cuz she's acting very erratic, very drunk. And then that's when she tenses up and goes to the ground. There's a fight from there. And eventually, she is on her knees the whole time, turns over, leans back, kicks me. Then I think you stepped in. Please tell me >> what >> it's my right to go. >> Hey, she slipped them. >> Why'd you take the handcuffs off? >> Because I I my wrist. >> They're going to go back on, but now they're going to go on with >> Last time I I literally >> No, they're going to go on in the back. So, exit the vehicle. >> So, what did I do to get arrested? >> Put them behind. No, my wrist is broken and every >> behind your back. >> I didn't do anything though. What did I do to get arrested? Please tell me. Since she was wondering why she was being detained, the officer informed her that she was being charged with resisting with violence and battery on law enforcement. After that, they talked to Christopher's son and found out he was the victim. >> Can you tell me what happened? >> Dr. Finch, I know you were in the middle telling her. Go ahead and tell me best you can. >> He came and kicked the door back and cuz I heard, you know, I heard him pull up. So, I looked through, I saw he was here. So, I tried holding the door shut, you know, cuz that dead bull a not he could kick that thing down either. So, I was trying to hold it. this this front door. >> Yeah. Held it the best I could. He ended up, you know, kicking it in. And then so as we're inside, so he's inside. So he's breaking, making threads. So this is mying house. You're only going to be here, bro. Get the [music] out of my house. So I got 3 minutes. >> All that [ __ ] And then he goes through and he's destroying stuff. Oh my god. This last one's aing all over the place. >> There you go. I saw the home. I could see where he All of that was him. >> No, not that. The only thing I did was that very front window. And that's cuz he Okay. Yeah. this front left window here. >> All right, that's going to be back on track. I'm sorry, dude. My mind is a billion hours. >> Take some deep breaths. You're good. I get paid by the alley. So, if she's at least going to jail, Amber. >> Oh, that's assault. Are you good, bro? >> Yeah, I'm good. >> Okay. Yeah, cuz I know she assaulting officers. Not a good one. >> No, it's not smart. But go ahead and continue. >> The young man explained that the whole problem started because Christopher had accumulated around $6,000 in debt for house utilities [music] before leaving. The family consulted officers and was told they could sell Christopher's property to pay for the debt. >> Like if he needs it for work, then we can't sell, but otherwise like that truck, like anything, you know, we could sell. So, we did end up selling a lot of his stuff. And he didn't like that too much. >> How did he find out about it? >> Uh, he went in his garage and saw us pretty much just today, just before we got here, >> right? This is the most recent incident. Okay. >> He lost it. He went to destroy everything in the house and that hutch that's right inside. And I tried to stand in front of and kind of catch it. So he couldn't take it down, but it was too heavy. I couldn't. So he ended up taking that down, flipping some tables. Glass exploded everywhere. He hit himself with some glass. >> Hit himself with it. >> He got hit with glass. I'm not sure exactly how it happened. He got >> He did He got cut with glass after he he flipped tables. Glass went everywhere and he was bleeding. >> Nothing physical between you guys though, right? >> No. Uh he threw a few at me, but he you just he up. He didn't hit any of them. I would just leave. >> But he tried to. >> The young man explained that only after he threatened to destroy Christopher's truck did his dad finally leave the house. However, he continued his rampage outside. At that point, his son decided to run away and go look for his mom who had driven her other vehicle away so that Christopher couldn't destroy it. >> So, I snatched my phone out of his hands and just ran. >> I made it to about, you know, I made it to about across the church across the street from that house right there. >> Okay. And I'm out of breath about to throw up. Like you know when you run so much you're literally about to throw up. He caught up to me and that's when that little knife I had I pulled it and I was like I was just hunched over one hand just reaching out bro backing up bro stay away from me. >> Was he walking towards you? >> Yes. Yes he was walking towards me. I like banging on windows like yo please bro. >> Yeah there's a few people that call that. That's why we came >> up the street please. >> Were you wearing the hoodie? >> Yeah I was this is exactly what I was wearing. >> Do you need to go to the hospital for your injuries at all? >> I'm fine. >> Okay. So >> dude, this ain't >> okay. >> I've been bullied up four times and not wrapping. >> Thank you for your service. Um, so based off everything that happened, what's up? >> I just want to grab her watch, [music] please. >> You want to take your watch with her? >> No. Take her watch. >> I just want to grab that watch. >> What? >> I just want to have >> So is she. >> Do you want it to go with you? >> I just want to throw in that. >> I'll go throw it in the car. >> No, it's fine. >> No, you mine. No, I'm going to go do it for you. You can watch me do it. Definitely going to need the heating pad. >> Christopher did not object to getting arrested. He knew he made a mistake and was willing to pay the price. On July 6th, 2023, a woman went to the police station after finding disturbing content on her little sister's iPad involving the girl and her father. The officers quickly obtained a search warrant. These are the events that followed. >> You want to talk? I can talk. >> Hey, Jason. >> Yeah. Hey. >> Hey, we have your PC for your arrest. >> Come out here with me, please. >> For what? >> For what? >> The problem. >> For what? >> You'll explain everything in a minute. Okay. How are you? Okay. >> I'm Sergeant Justin Davis, Cam PD. Okay. Hey, I'm going to take you downstairs and we'll get that all sorted out for you. Thanks for traumatizing my children. >> The suspect was taken outside and mirandized. He said he understood his rights, but stated he was drunk and not in a clear state of mind. He also objected to the way the officers handled the issue, even though he still didn't know what he was getting arrested for. >> So, we're going to get you a ride. We're going to go down to the office. We want to explain to you what's going on, why we're here talking to you. We'd like to get your side of it so that we can if you know if there's a misunderstanding we can clear it up. >> If not we get >> this is the best way to get a misunderstanding and arrest me in my front of my kids. Cool. >> Has anyone told you about anything today? >> No. >> We were taking custody. Okay. I apologize first off. >> No, I was kind of do that in front of my kids. But it's cool. They're traumatized for life. It's cool. I know. >> We're detectives. >> Dad's being arrested in front of him. My daughter's eight. It's cool. You could have picked a better time possibly, but I don't even know why I'm here. So, let's get on with it. >> All right. So, today we had to take you into custody because there was link to your iCloud be found on uh iPad. iPad. >> What? >> Yes. And so, it's one of those things we have to take like seriously. And then >> that's weird because I talk to people, they send me, I delete it. That would basically be Jason's defense. He was completely unaware that they had found much more incriminating material. But for the time being, the investigators were playing koi. >> You can even look at my phone. It's in my deleted. I just delete it and I'm done with it. So I guess if it was linked, that would make sense. >> Oh no. You said people send these to you. So like >> I just like meet people on Snapchat and I'll say, "Hey, can I see a picture of you?" I have no idea what they're going to send me. >> Okay. So if I don't think like it's appropriate or they're legal or whatever, I have to delete it. But you got to know online [music] and you see you just get inundated with, right? I got to delete. I got to delete. I got to delete. But I had no idea it showed up on the iPad or the iCloud or anything like that cuz I I delete it. This is like total shock to me. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. And you can see Well, hopefully you can see like why we have to kind of >> absolutely >> take this stuff. >> I'd be mortified if I even knew. I mean, Jimmy, he's like going on 15. She's a boy, right? But my daughter, >> Jason stated he was actively trying to find a girlfriend online. Not once did he show remorse or concern. He just tried to justify his actions and maintain the image of a good father. >> So, I just feel so bad because I don't want them to think like, oh, dad got arrested. What did dad do? And then dad's like, I didn't really do anything. I'm just like delete and then delete photo, you know, and blah blah blah. So, it's like >> people make mistakes and then there's there's reasonable explanations for everything usually, right? >> There usually is an explanation. Correct. Is this where I can have my lawyer now? Cuz this is >> that's up to you. [music] >> Can you tell me what I'm being charged with? >> Yeah. Possession of of Let me read out the whole for you. >> Please. It's a long title. Okay. >> So, Apple contacted you cuz they saw something in my deleted folder. I get that. That makes sense. You have to follow up on all that. >> Yeah. [music] >> I've been trying to like find a girlfriend. I go on this dating site, that dating site. Like, people are so fake. Like, you think you know somebody and then you don't know somebody. I also know you're baiting me and I'm not stupid. Okay? You can be my friend all you want. This ain't my first rodeo. >> Since Jason had seen through the investigator's koi approach, she decided to take off the proverbial gloves and face him with the most disturbing evidence they had uncovered. and that included images of his 8-year-old daughter. >> I'm just going to be straight with you. Um, you've been like super honest with me. I really appreciate that and we've been chill. I know it was a really start to your whole goddamn evening. So, I apologize for that. [music] Um, but there is acts with like on these pictures and that's where we don't get these tips from [music] when it's adult. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. Um, can you help me understand that? I can actually people send me I can't help what they send me. I delete the when they send it to me. I get my uh my gallery of the month or whatever. I never seen anything until I don't know a little while ago and then I saw an image on there and I was like, "Oh, that should not be there." >> Jason did not even flinch when the investigator mentioned children. However, he leaned into his same old story about getting explicit images and deleting them right away. At one point, he almost slipped because up until then, nobody mentioned his own children. >> You can go through my phone. I haven't taken a single inappropriate picture of my kids, anything like that. I'm not I don't do that. So, how I ended up with it, I'm going to tell you the same thing. And you're not gonna find one single image of any of my on my phone or any other on my phone that was taken from my phone. I don't I don't do that. So >> there are photos. >> What? Okay, that's a complete shock. Well, the only person they could have taken photos of is my son. >> Or >> nobody else is there. and likely the most despicable act he could think of. Jason maintained his innocence and tried to blame the pictures on his 15-year-old son. Up until that moment, he never mentioned his son as the one responsible for the images on the cloud. >> I did not take pictures of her in any inappropriate way. You could bring her in this room right now. Oh, now I'm really upset cuz you tell me there's inappropriate pictures. I didn't take those with my phone. I don't know who took them. Like I said, we're all on the same iCloud. >> Do you guys have um Do you know if she has a uh like a masquerade half mask? >> Yeah, she wears that sometimes to go to sleep. >> Has like leopard print on it, I think. >> Mhm. >> That makes me think my son was doing something. Now she's being like or something by somebody that knows her apparently. Okay, you all need to get like the IP address on whatever wherever that picture was taken was not for me. And [music] >> I I can assure you that's exactly the process we do. The investigation. Okay. >> As the realization of his predicament dawned on him, Jason broke down in tears. However, instead of confessing to what he was being accused of, he still claimed it was his son who was doing it. happened. >> Say it again. >> I don't know how that would happen. >> I mean, I leave him alone sometimes like go to the store and stuff and I didn't expect anything like that to happen. [sighs] That was like my biggest fear. And I don't want to jump to conclusions, but that's he's the only other person there when we're there. She never said anything to me about [music] it. Obviously, he never said anything to me about it. It wasn't me. >> The investigators were likely taken aback by Jason's audacity to implicate his son in something that they believe Jason was responsible for. And the reason they believed that was because of another piece of evidence they had uncovered >> also on our tip stuff. And sorry, but we just keep hitting. >> That's okay. It's okay. >> Looks like Reddit [music] kind of incest themed threads. Can you tell me about that? >> Not really. It's like n stall pong. Was >> someone else visiting that or >> No, but you know what? Reading something isn't a crime. So, >> we're just trying to understand. >> No, >> I know what you're trying to do. Okay. Just I guess get me a lawyer at this point because I didn't take those pictures. I don't know where those pictures came from. Now I got somebody taking pictures who is getting blamed on me. The truth will come out. I'm not worried about it because I didn't do it. >> Great. >> Nothing better than being than falsely accused. >> Okay. >> I'd like to go pee before I go to jail, if you don't mind. >> Jason was charged with multiple offenses related to possession and viewing of depictions of a minor engaged in sexual conduct. After paying a $100,000 bond, he later pleaded guilty to possession and viewing of such content. He was sentenced to 12 months in county jail. 12 months of community custody, had to register as a sex offender, and submit to DNA testing. Some people should never be allowed to be parents. Thanks for watching The Untold Files. Feel free to subscribe to the channel because a new video is coming out soon and you won't want to miss that one.