Children safely returned after DeKalb SWAT standoff, police say
Children returned after hours-long DeKalb standoff
DeKalb Police have provided a major update to the story about a DeKalb County man who took off with 2 children after a fight and standoff overnight. The children have been returned and are safe. Jakarri Eason is still wanted for a previous incident.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Two young children who were initially believed to be missing following an hours-long SWAT standoff in DeKalb County have been safely returned to their mother, police said Thursday.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Above video from previous report.
What we know:
DeKalb County police also clarified that the children's father, Jakarii Eason, is not facing additional charges related to Wednesday night's incident. Eason remains wanted on charges from a previous incident.
Jakarri Eason
What happened
The backstory:
Police responded to the Parkway Grand Apartments near Flat Shoals Parkway and Wesley Chapel Road on Wednesday night following an argument between Eason and the children's mother.
Police said the mother left the apartment while Eason and the children reportedly remained inside. After officers learned Eason had active warrants from a previous incident, a SWAT team was called to the complex.
Officers believed Eason and the children were inside during the hourslong response. When SWAT officers eventually entered the apartment, however, it was empty.
Children returned safely
What happened next:
Police initially said Eason and the children could not be located. Authorities have since clarified that because Eason is the children's father and they were not believed to be in danger, police did not continue searching for their location.
Police confirmed Thursday that the children have since been safely returned to their mother.
Eason is not facing new charges stemming from the SWAT incident. He remains wanted on the previously issued warrants.
What we don't know:
Police have not released details about the charges Eason faces from the earlier incident.