‘Help us’: Kids rescued after holding handwritten note against home’s window

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Gray News) - Police in Florida are praising the bravery of a child who held a handwritten note that read “Help us” against a window while hiding during a domestic disturbance.

Kissimmee Police say they responded Oct. 26 to a domestic disturbance involving 33-year-old Andre Janard Smithson at the Florida Ridge Condos. A woman inside the home told her sister that Smithson was “beating” her, WTSP reports, citing an arrest affidavit.

Family members told police that children were in the home, and they feared for their safety.

Using a drone, police found three kids hiding in a guest room. Meanwhile, Smithson and the victim were in the master bedroom with their 5-month-old daughter, according to WTSP.

One of the kids held a handwritten note against the window that read “Help us.” Police later praised the child’s bravery in a Facebook post about the incident.

WTSP reports that Smithson spoke to officers by phone and refused repeated requests to let the victim and kids leave the home. Police say the kids were able to safely escape while Smithson was distracted.

With help from a SWAT team and crisis negotiators, police say Smithson eventually surrendered peacefully. He was arrested on charges of false imprisonment and an outstanding active warrant.

Smithson reportedly told investigators he wanted to spend time with his infant daughter before going to jail, according to WTSP.