A frightening domestic disturbance in Central Florida ended peacefully after police used a drone to locate children hiding inside a home, including one who held a handwritten sign against a window pleading for help.
The Kissimmee Police Department said in an announcement Tuesday that officers responded Oct. 26 to a domestic disturbance involving 33-year-old Andre Janard Smithson, after family members alerted authorities that children were inside the residence and feared for their safety.
As officers worked to assess the situation, they deployed a drone to survey the residence and locate the children.
KPD said the drone spotted the children hiding inside a room, where one child held a handwritten note against a window bearing the message: "HELP US."
The handwritten message allowed officers to identify the children's location as they worked to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.
Police then said the children managed to safely escape the residence while Smithson was distracted.
The department's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) assisted in the response as officers continued working to resolve the standoff.
Smithson eventually surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody.
He was arrested on a charge of false imprisonment and an outstanding active warrant.
Authorities did not specify the nature of the outstanding warrant or provide additional details about the circumstances leading to the domestic disturbance.
The department also did not disclose how many children were inside the home or their ages.
"Excellent teamwork by KPD officers and specialized units in bringing this situation to a peaceful resolution!" the department wrote.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Across Florida Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.