Ambridge man used toddler as 'human shield' during SWAT situation, police say

An Ambridge man used his toddler as a shield from police during a standoff Tuesday, according to authorities.

Manuel Antonio Turcios-Perez, 23, faces charges of endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, unlawful restraint and disarming a police officer in connection to the five-hour standoff that occurred in his Sixth Street home.

Ambridge police wrote in court papers that a patrol officer noticed Turcios-Perez enter his home in the 200 block of Sixth Street at around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Turcios-Perez had warrants out for his arrest in connection to charges of simple assault and resisting and evading arrest , the complaint said.

The officer attempted to confront Turcios-Perez, but he ran inside and locked the door, the complaint said.

The officer forced open the door and, upon entry, saw Turcios-Perez standing at the top of the stairway with his 2-year-old daughter in his arms.

According to the complaint, the officer “felt that the child was being restrained against her will” and used “as a shield from police.”

The officer left the residence and demanded Turcios-Perez to surrender and let the child go, which he refused, the complaint said. In the meantime, authorities established a perimeter around the residence.

Authorities and a translator attempted for hours to get Turcios-Perez to surrender, but he still refused, the complaint said. Turcios-Perez used a bag phone to speak with negotiators, threatening himself and saying that “once it became dark out, it would get worse for police.”

Members of Beaver County’s Emergency Services Unit decided to enter the home. They found Turcios-Perez on the third floor of the home, with the child in a headlock “and had her in front of him like a human shield,” the complaint said.

Officers tackled Turcios-Perez and got the child away from him, and she was immediately removed from the house, the complaint said. She was released to her mother.

Turcios-Perez got in a scuffle with officers before they were able to take him into custody, the complaint said.

Turcios-Perez was denied bail and is currently being held at the Beaver County Jail. An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 22 before District Judge Alex Korol.