A Richmond man and his mother are facing many charges after a toddler was used as a human shield while a police chief was punched in an attempt to avoid arrest.
Alexander D. Miles, 34, of Richmond, has been charged with abduction, endangering the welfare of a child, armed criminal action, resisting arrest, and unlawful use of a weapon, according to Ray County, Missouri Circuit Court papers filed on Friday, May 16.
According to a probable cause statement from the Richmond Police Department, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a nearby home due to a disturbance at about 1:40 p.m. on Thursday.
When first responders arrived, Miles’ mother, a witness, confronted them, claiming that Miles had carried out the attack using his cellphone. When the pair went to see Miles, he grabbed up two kitchen knives while a youngster stood close.
Miles eventually placed the blades on the ground, according to police, and his mother removed them from the scene. However, the State of Colorado discovered that Miles had numerous arrest warrants.
When officers tried to arrest Miles, he allegedly used the toddler as a human shield. He grabbed up a kitchen knife again and continued to flash it at officers while making a series of disturbing statements.
A crisis negotiator did eventually come, according to the Police Department. Law enforcement officials reported that while she was chatting with Miles, a less-than-lethal bean bag bullet struck his hand. The round struck Miles’ hand, which was holding the knife, and shattered it.
As police subdued Miles and took him into prison, they grabbed the toddler and transported her to safety.
Investigators allegedly attempted to block Miles’ mother’s line of sight throughout the incident, preventing them from performing less-than-lethal measures on him. After Miles’ arrest, she allegedly struck the Richmond Police Chief in the face. Consequently, the Richmond Police Chief also arrested her.
Miles was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for minor injuries, according to the Police Department. The hospital discharged Miles and placed him into the Ray County Detention Center.
Miles has previously been charged with child abuse, weapons violations, child neglect, assault, trespassing, and other offenses, investigators said. The court had previously imprisoned Miles on several of the counts.
Miles was still behind bars in Ray County on Friday afternoon. Miles’ mother, Susan Miles, also faces charges of third-degree assault, impeding prosecution of a felony, resisting arrest, and endangering the welfare of a child. She is no longer in jail on general release.
A court appearance date has yet to be established. There has been no further release of information.
