Las Vegas NowMan Taken Into Custody for Holding Child Hostage

Man Taken Into Custody for Holding Child Hostage

LAS VEGAS -- A four-year-old boy had a harrowing ordeal Friday afternoon. He's now safe, but police say the boy's father held a knife to the child's throat.

A Las Vegas police SWAT team moved in and after some tense moments, they were able to talk the father into letting the boy go. Family members say the man had stopped taking his medication.

Behind the crime scene tape, curious on-lookers could only wonder what was unfolding. “It was pretty hectic. I just saw all these cops cars and undercover coming this way,” said neighbor Donald Ratchford.

In what police call a tense half hour standoff, a family stood helplessly after officers say a father grabbed his 4-year-old son and held him at knifepoint. “It's a very stressful situation for us. As first responders, our first priority is getting the child out safely,” said Metro Lt. Christopher Hoye.

The SWAT team geared up and negotiators moved in quickly to convince a man who appeared to be in mental distress. “After we talked to him at length, then he became a little bit more coherent and set the knife down,” said Lt. Hoye.

After more tense moments of convincing, the man finally surrendered. The family was left counting their blessings and the reasons behind the man’s actions were revealed. “He's on medication and he was off his medication which makes him somewhat schizophrenic or paranoid,” said Lt. Hoye.

But the family is thankful things ended peacefully with the little boy once again safe. “They were crying. They were tearful and happy that the child was returned safely and I think everyone is going to sleep well tonight,” said Lt. Hoye.

Officers say after the scene was cleared, the boy's father was taken to get medical attention for his condition. Besides medical help, he will also be taking a trip to the Clark County Detention Center, booked on charges for assault with a deadly weapon and possibly for kidnapping.