Handwritten ‘Help us’ note taped to window led to terrified children hiding from violence

A handwritten “Help us” note held up at a Florida home led police to children who said they were frightened and being prevented from leaving. The children escaped while police were outside, and a 33-year-old man later surrendered and was arrested.

Family members called 911 on 26 October after one child sent their grandmother a worrying text. Kissimmee police used a drone to locate the children, then sent a SWAT team; police said the man, Andre Janard Smithson, was charged with false imprisonment and had an outstanding warrant. His relationship to the children and the warrant’s details were not disclosed.