Chilling handwritten ‘HELP US’ note spotted at window of Florida home – leads to rescue of 4 terrified kids

A handwritten “HELP US” note at a Florida home’s window prompted police to rescue four children and arrest Andre Janard Smithson, who is accused of preventing them from leaving. The children told a 911 operator they were frightened of him, and police described the incident as a domestic disturbance.

Officers used a drone to find three children hiding in a guest bedroom and a five-month-old infant in the main bedroom. The children escaped while Smithson was distracted; after police brought in SWAT and crisis negotiators, he surrendered peacefully. He faces false imprisonment charges and was also booked on an outstanding warrant, whose details have not been made public.