A Walled Lake family says their 11-year-old daughter has spent years being watched by a small drone that keeps hovering outside her second-floor bedroom window, and they say they finally caught it on camera this past Sunday. The mother, who asked to be identified only as Sierra, told reporters the device flew in so close it looked just feet from the glass, and that these unnerving fly-bys began when her daughter was just eight.
What the family says
As reported by CBS Detroit, Sierra said, "She witnessed a drone come up to her window, and you know she freaked out." The family told the station they have reported sightings to Walled Lake police, who confirmed they are investigating the incident.
What the law says
State and national trackers of unmanned-aircraft rules say Michigan has updated statutes and guidance that can make it illegal to use drones to harass people or to capture images where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, many states have carved out specific protections related to voyeurism, harassment and other privacy concerns that can apply to drone use.
Attorney view
A criminal defense attorney speaking with CBS said that if the drone operator is identified, they could face a range of criminal charges and that prosecutors have several tools available to pursue harassment or voyeurism counts. The family told the station they are considering contacting the county sheriff or the Federal Aviation Administration to push the matter further.
How to report
County listings show Walled Lake Police's non-emergency contact and civic pages for the city, and Oakland County's directory lists the department and phone number. Per the Federal Aviation Administration, the public may also report unsafe or unauthorized drone operations through the agency's contact page or by calling 866-TELL-FAA. Oakland County and the FAA provide guidance on how to file these reports.
Neighbors and next steps
The family says their goal in speaking out is to raise awareness and encourage other parents to pay close attention to anything odd happening outside their windows. Walled Lake police have not announced any arrests, and investigators remain on the case while residents say they are watching their own homes a little more closely.
