A Redwood City woman was apprehended for felony assault with a deadly weapon and child endangerment following a chilling altercation that put her son at knife-point, officials said.
The confrontation, which spiraled out of control on January 17, was reported to the Redwood City Police, who arrived at the scene around 2:39 PM after receiving a distressing call from the 13-year-old victim. According to a statement obtained by the Redwood City Police Department, the victim fled from their Gordon Street residence and informed authorities that Latosha Smith, 49, his mother, had threatened him during an argument with a knife.
Once on site, the police focused on ensuring the frightened teenager's well-being before turning their attention to contacting Smith. At her residence, the mother locked herself in, refusing to cooperate with law enforcement's initial efforts to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion. "Members of the department’s Crisis Negotiations Unit were requested and responded,” the police detailed. Despite the negotiators' attempts, Smith remained unyielding.
It wasn't until 4:45 PM that officers, ensuring the standoff ended without further incident, entered the apartment and took Smith into custody. Booked into the San Mateo County Jail, she stands accused of wielding a knife against her child. According to the police report, the juvenile was safely turned over to the care of adult relatives.
