(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — After Lake County sheriff’s deputies rushed to the rescue of a mother and child on Father’s Day, the child’s father has now been charged over accusations that he held them hostage and killed the family pet.
Officials said a 911 call came in around 8:45 a.m. on Father’s Day about a woman and her child who were taken against their will and were in a vehicle traveling away from a family member’s home in Wadsworth.
“They were able to locate the vehicle within a minute or so of it leaving the residence,” said Lake County Deputy Chief Chris Covelli
Covelli told WBBM that all of the department’s deputies are trained in performing high-risk traffic stops, such as the kind that became necessary to rescue the woman and her young daughter.
“This is an extremely volatile situation,” he said. “When you’ve got a suspect armed with any type of weapon that is holding somebody hostage, that’s about as high-risk as it gets.”
Adrian Rivera, 40, complied with deputy commands and was taken into custody within minutes after the traffic stop.
Further investigation revealed that he and the woman taken hostage lived together in Beach Park. Covelli said Rivera battered the woman in that Beach Park home prior to forcing her at knifepoint to drive to the home in Wadsworth, where their child had been staying with family.
Deputies searching the Beach Park home recovered multiple firearms and discovered a bludgeoned family dog, the remains of which had been placed in a freezer.
The woman was grateful that Rivera will now face the justice system on nearly a half dozen felonies and several misdemeanors, including domestic battery, unlawful restraint and aggravated animal cruelty.
“She was very fearful for her life and the life of her daughter,” Covelli said.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok