Police raid gone wrong sends 17-month-old boy to hospital

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NEW YORK, Jan 15: An Ohio family is grappling with the aftermath of a horrifying incident where police mistakenly raided their home, leaving a 17-month-old toddler hospitalized. The incident occurred on January 10, as Elyria police executed a raid based on mistaken identity.

Courtney Price, who was at home with her son Waylon during the raid, vividly described the terrifying experience in a Facebook post. She recounted the moment when police burst into their home, shattering windows and pointing guns at her. The chaos escalated when a flashbang, intended to distract suspects, was deployed, covering young Waylon in smoke.

Surveillance footage shared by WOIO captured the intense police presence and the deployment of the flashbang. Reida Jennings, the homeowner, was at work during the incident but saw the alarming events unfold through the Ring doorbell video.

The family alleges that the flashbang was thrown through a window, causing the glass to hit the toddler. Waylon, who already has medical complications and relies on a ventilator, experienced distress during the raid. Price reported that the smoke burned Waylon’s eyes, body, and lungs, resulting in his admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Elyria police denied allegations that the flashbang was thrown through a window and emphasized that it does not contain chemical agents. They asserted that the devices are intended to produce sound and light to distract suspects.

The family claims that Waylon endured significant distress during the incident, requiring additional oxygen and adjustments to his ventilator settings. While police maintained that paramedics found no visible injuries on the child, the family contends that the child’s pre-existing medical condition was exacerbated.

The warrant, intended for a previous resident, has raised questions about the accuracy of the information leading to the raid. Jennings stated that police have visited their home multiple times over the past year searching for the same individual.

The Elyria Police Department, facing criticism over the incident, asserted that the address on the warrant matched the residence. The investigation related to the warrant is ongoing.

Despite the trauma, Waylon was moved out of the ICU on January 12, but he remains hospitalized. Price expressed her frustration, emphasizing the impact on Waylon’s hard-fought progress. The toddler was diagnosed with chemical pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs caused by inhaling chemical fumes.

The family is seeking accountability and wants the public to be aware of the trauma inflicted on their innocent child due to the mistaken raid. Price emphasized the need for more than a simple apology, stating, “Just a ‘sorry, wrong house’” is not sufficient.

Elyria, located approximately 30 miles southwest of Cleveland, now faces scrutiny over the incident and the long-term impact on Waylon’s health.

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