In a horrifying incident that unfolded in Elyria, Ohio, a police raid on the wrong home has left a 17-month-old special needs boy with serious injuries. Waylon May, who suffers from a heart defect and was awaiting open heart surgery, was caught in the crossfire as officers threw two flash grenades, covering him in glass and smoke.
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The raid took place on Parmely Avenue when officers from the Elyria Police Special Response Team stormed into the home, mistakenly believing it to be the location of a suspect wanted on weapons charges. The entire incident was captured on a ring camera, revealing the terrifying unfolding moments. Waylon’s mother, Courtney Price, who was visiting her aunt, Reida Jennings, from Kentucky, described the chaos as guns were pointed at her, preventing her from reaching her injured child, as reported by Daily Mail.
Price pleaded with the officers to help her son, but she was handcuffed and held outside the home for nearly 45 minutes while her baby’s condition worsened. The police claimed that they announced themselves before entering the premises, but Price maintained that she was not allowed to inform them about her son’s pre-existing medical condition. The lack of immediate medical attention and the delay in assisting the injured child raise severe concerns about the conduct of the officers involved.
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Waylon was rushed to a children’s hospital, where he was treated for chemical pneumonitis, inflammation of the lungs, and irritation of the soft tissue around the lungs. His mother described his condition as blood red, choking, and gasping for air. Waylon, who was born prematurely and has been battling various health issues since birth, was making progress before the incident. However, the trauma he endured during the raid has now set back his health and postponed his scheduled open heart surgery.
Jennings said this is not the first time police have raided her home: ‘They were looking for I think a teenager, to my knowledge… When they told me the name of the boy, it sounded familiar because they had been here five times the past year looking for that family and that boy,’ She added that Waylon was about to have open heart surgery before the deadly raid. Still, they are expressing concerns about his health and want the Elyria police department to be held accountable.
‘He was awaiting open heart surgery, that’s why he’s here. That’s why he’s at my house. She’s from Pikeville, Kentucky. She’s been here one week. They have taken 17 months of what this baby has fought to be where he’s at and now he’s back at square one.’
The police department also released a statement about the incident and described what went on during the raid:
‘These devices produce sound and light that is noticeable in day or night conditions and are intended to distract the suspects’ attention. Diversionary devices do not produce a continuous burn and they do not deploy or contain any pepper gas or chemical agents.’