Baby unharmed after man barricades them in basement
Individual in custody with minor injuries
Ottawa police removed a baby from a Noranda Avenue home Friday afternoon after a man barricaded himself inside.
The infant was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Insp. John Medeiros said the child was safe and healthy.
The man was in police custody with minor injuries.
Police went to the home to assist an outside agency with a non-criminal matter Friday around 12:30 p.m. Police would not identify the agency.
Discussions broke down and a man barricaded himself in the east-end home’s basement with a baby.
Medeiros said police remained in the residence and maintained communication with the man.
“When we did have an opportunity to safely make an apprehension or an arrest, we did so,” he said.
Around 5:30 p.m., a loud bang was heard and police removed the child before escorting a man, who was limping, to a stretcher. He was put into an ambulance.
Police would not reveal the relationship between the man and the baby, but said no weapons were found in the home.
Authorities will determine where the child will go, Medeiros said.
Police say charges may be laid depending on further investigation.
Police closed the entire avenue while negotiations were underway. Yellow police tape was looped around the chainlink fence of the St. Laurent Academy, a private school and daycare near where the drama occurred.
Despite the emergency crews outside, it was a normal day at the daycare, said Christina Dickson, who works at the school.
“It was really quiet. There was no action at all. Just a lot of fire trucks.”
The daycare was not put on lockdown, Dickson said.
Kids heading home for the weekend seemed delighted by the opportunity to see fire trucks up close. Firefighters gave the kids hugs and high fives as they headed home with their parents.