ELYRIA, OH — An Ohio woman says her 17-month-old son suffered chemical burns when police mistakenly raided the home where she lived. Allegations that authorities have denied and are now being investigated.
Police body camera footage released Tuesday by officials in Elyria shows officers deploying exploding flash bangs during a raid on the home on Jan. 10 around 2 p.m. The warrant was issued as part of an ongoing investigation into stolen guns, city officials said.
The footage shows officers entering the home with guns and a battering ram and flashing bangs. Officers soon handcuffed Courtney Price, who was alone in the house with her son. She lives there with her aunt and uncle, who say teen police were looking for a former resident who hasn’t lived there since they started renting the place about a year ago.
Price said her son, Waylon, has been diagnosed with chemical pneumonia — a form of lung irritation — since the raid. She said the condition was caused by inhaling chemicals released by the flash bang. The child is also awaiting surgery for a heart defect and was on a ventilator. During the raid, a window was broken not far from where the child was, but Price and authorities differ on how close the child was to the window.
Police issued a statement saying that “any allegations indicating that the child was exposed to chemicals, lack of medical attention or negligence are untrue,” noting that the devices “do not cause persistent burns and that they do not use or contain pepper gas or chemicals.” agents.” They also said the child suffered no “apparent, visible injuries.”
The statement also said the house was “the correct address of the search warrant.” They said a special response team was deployed due to “extensive criminal activity and individuals involved.”
While the raid was taking place, smoke filled the home and police entered through the front door. Price wanted to run to her son, but knew she could have been shot if she did, she told Cleveland television station WOIO.
“I didn’t know what to do because there were guns pointed at me,” Price said.
Elyria officials have asked the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the raid and how the warrant was obtained.