Jamestown police say a 23-year-old woman grabbed a child to shield herself from officers trying to arrest her early Tuesday, after they responded to a report of a physical altercation in a backyard on the city's east side. Desiree Barr now faces multiple charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, stemming from the encounter.
According to chautauquatoday.com, officers responded to the scene shortly after 4:15 a.m. for a report of a disorderly person following a physical altercation. When they arrived, police said they saw Barr actively engaged in the altercation. Rather than comply with officers, Barr allegedly retreated into a nearby residence, where she picked up a child to shield herself from the approaching officers, the outlet reported.
Police allege Barr resisted for a brief period before officers were able to take her into custody. She was then transported to the Jamestown City Jail, per the same account. WGRZ reports that the reported altercation unfolded early Tuesday morning on the city's east side, and that Jamestown police had responded to the report just before 4:30 a.m.
Charges Stack Up Following the Arrest
Barr was held pending arraignment on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree obstruction and resisting arrest, the station's report notes. WGRZ's reporting lists the charges somewhat differently, citing obstructing governmental administration rather than second-degree obstruction, though both outlets agree Barr faces resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child counts tied to the early-morning disturbance. WGRZ also reports that Barr is scheduled to appear in Jamestown City Court on December 3.
Not the First Jamestown Case Involving a Minor and Police Pursuit
This isn't the only recent Jamestown case where a minor's involvement led to charges for an adult. In a separate incident, Jamestown police said a juvenile led officers on a 20-minute vehicle pursuit while riding an electric bike after failing to comply with a traffic stop, according to WKBW. The incident involving juveniles on e-bikes occurred just after 6:15 p.m. on a Thursday near W. 8th and Cherry Street. Officers later located a juvenile near Washington and W. 3rd Street and initiated the traffic stop that preceded the pursuit.
In that case, the juvenile's parents, 37-year-old Justin Barr and 37-year-old Monica Barr, were taken into custody and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, WKBW reported. It is not clear from available reporting whether that case is connected to Desiree Barr's arrest this week.
