Joliet Man Charged with Battery, Endangering a Child, and Resisting Arrest after Altercation at MorningStar Mission
In a recent incident at the MorningStar Mission in Joliet, Illinois, 27-year-old Denzzel McCullum was taken into police custody following a confrontation with law enforcement officers. The incident, which took place on February 11, resulted in McCullum being charged with battery, endangering the life or health of a child, and resisting a peace officer.
Background of the Incident
According to a statement released by Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, officers were called to the MorningStar Mission on Washington Street after McCullum contacted authorities, indicating that he was at the shelter with his 4-month-old daughter and had nowhere else to go. Upon arrival, police discovered that the child’s mother had come to pick her up, and the infant was secured in a baby carrier in the vehicle.
During initial conversations with McCullum, officers determined that he had outstanding arrest warrants from Will and DuPage counties for failing to appear in court on previous charges of drug paraphernalia and resisting a peace officer. When an officer attempted to place McCullum under arrest, he reportedly pushed past the officer and picked up the child in the baby carrier, refusing to put her down or submit to arrest.
Police Response and McCullum’s Arrest
Believing that McCullum was using the child as a means to stall his arrest, officers worked to safely remove the child from the situation. One officer was able to take the baby carrier from McCullum while other officers attempted to place him in handcuffs. However, McCullum resisted, and a Taser was deployed to subdue him.
Following his arrest, McCullum was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center for an evaluation due to his resistance and intentional head strikes on the ground and squad car. He was released from the hospital on February 17 and transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility to face the charges against him.
Impact on the Community and Beyond
The incident has generated significant attention within the Joliet community and beyond, with many expressing concern for the welfare of the child involved. Some have criticized the police response, while others have praised the officers for their actions in ensuring the safety of both the child and the officers involved.
Beyond the local level, the incident highlights the complexities of mental health issues and their intersection with the criminal justice system. Mental health advocates have called for increased resources and support for individuals struggling with mental health concerns, particularly in the context of interactions with law enforcement.
Conclusion
The arrest of Denzzel McCullum at the MorningStar Mission in Joliet on February 11, 2023, has led to his charging with battery, endangering the life or health of a child, and resisting a peace officer. The incident, which involved a confrontation with law enforcement officers and the use of a Taser, has generated significant attention and debate within the community and beyond. As mental health and criminal justice issues continue to intersect, it is essential that we work to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
- Denzzel McCullum, 27, was taken into police custody at the MorningStar Mission in Joliet on February 11, 2023.
- McCullum was wanted on outstanding arrest warrants from Will and DuPage counties for failing to appear in court on previous charges.
- When officers attempted to place McCullum under arrest, he refused to comply and picked up his 4-month-old daughter in a baby carrier.
- Believing McCullum was using the child to stall his arrest, officers worked to remove her from the situation and deploy a Taser to subdue him.
- McCullum was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center for an evaluation and later transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility to face charges.
- The incident has generated significant attention and debate, with some praising the officers’ actions and others criticizing the police response.
- Mental health advocates have called for increased resources and support for individuals struggling with mental health concerns in the context of interactions with law enforcement.
