An Owensboro man who barricaded himself inside a residence with a small child after forcing the parents out of the home has been arrested.
According to the Owensboro Police Department, the incident began Thursday night at approximately 9:30 when 53-year-old James D. Bearley entered a home in the 2300 block of Citation Avenue. Bearley, who was armed, forced a four-year-old child’s biological parents out of the home and barricaded himself inside with the child.
Bearley, according to police, was intoxicated and possibly suicidal.
The Owensboro PD Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Crisis Negotiation Unit responded to the scene and spoke with Bearley but he refused to exit the residence. He later refused to talk with law enforcement.
After several hours, police said negotiators convinced Bearley to release the child, police said.
Following the release of the child, a search warrant was obtained and the ERT began implementation of “Armed Barricaded Subject Procedures,” according to police. Bearley, though, surrendered a short time later.
He was charged with first-degree unlawful imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a minor and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Bearley is lodged in the Daviess County Detention Center.
Police did not release Bearley’s relationship, if any, to the parents or child.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
