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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Toddler rescued from barricaded apartment

Spokane police quickly ended a hostage situation involving a toddler in an apartment in the 9700 block of North Morton Court on Wednesday.

Officer Josh Laiva said they were told a man had barricaded himself inside the apartment, was possibly armed and had a child as a hostage. Morton Court was closed and nearby residents were told to stay inside as police, including the SWAT team, responded.

“We had reason to believe he was armed and the hostage was a child,” Laiva said.

The man was detained after a short standoff, but was not immediately arrested, he said. Police have not released his name.

A woman who declined to give her name said her daughter, who appeared to be about 2 years old, was not harmed. She said the man, who is the girl’s father, “is all talk. I knew he wouldn’t hurt her.”