A tense situation unfolded in Lake City on the morning of Wednesday, May 28, as police arrested a 30-year-old man accused of threatening to harm his children and barricading them inside an apartment.
The suspect, Deondre Clayton, is now facing multiple serious charges, including child cruelty and illegal firearm possession by a convicted felon. According to the Lake City Police Department, Clayton allegedly abused his children and made violent threats if law enforcement attempted to intervene.
Police were alerted to the situation after reports of child abuse surfaced involving Clayton’s children. Officers responded swiftly to an apartment complex where the children were believed to be confined with the suspect. According to police, one of the children, who has developmental disabilities, was found with visible bruising—allegedly caused by Clayton the previous day.
Authorities acted with caution to prevent the situation from escalating further. Upon arriving at the scene, officers established communication with Clayton and negotiated for him to exit the apartment peacefully. Fortunately, the children were rescued unharmed during the incident.
In a statement issued by the Lake City Police Department, officers said Clayton cooperated after negotiations and exited the apartment without resisting arrest. He was immediately taken into custody, and the children were removed from the scene to safety.
Upon further investigation, authorities confirmed Clayton’s status as a convicted felon. He was found to be in possession of a firearm, which is prohibited under Florida law for individuals with felony convictions. That added another felony charge to his list of offenses.
Clayton is currently being held without bond in the Columbia County Jail. His charges include cruelty toward children and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Authorities are continuing their investigation to ensure the children receive the appropriate care and protection moving forward.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been contacted to provide child welfare services and assess the ongoing needs of the children involved. Agencies like the Florida Department of Children and Families (www.myflfamilies.com) often play a key role in such cases, ensuring that children are removed from harmful environments and placed in safe custody.
Lake City Police emphasized their commitment to protecting children in dangerous situations. They also urged the community to report any suspected cases of abuse or neglect immediately. Florida residents can report child abuse via the Florida Abuse Hotline, operated under the DCF, or contact local law enforcement directly.
For more information on how to report child abuse or get involved in child protection, individuals can visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ child welfare portal at www.childwelfare.gov.
The arrest serves as a stark reminder of the dangers some children face even within their own homes. While this incident ended without physical harm to the children during the police response, the emotional and physical trauma of such experiences can have lasting effects. Support services and protective interventions are now underway to aid the children in healing from the ordeal.
Lake City officials continue to investigate the full scope of the abuse allegations and encourage anyone with additional information related to this case to contact the Lake City Police Department.