Armed man taken for psychiatric evaluation after making threats to harm himself and a child in Pettis County

PETTIS COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Saturday night around 10:20 pm, law enforcement agencies in Pettis County were made aware of an individual traveling from Johnson County with a 2-year-old child. The man was experiencing significant emotional distress and had made threats to not only harm the child but himself as well.

It was also reported that the man was armed at the time. Pettis County deputies located the vehicle and initiated a stop near W. 16th Street in Sedalia.

The individual emerged from the drivers seat with a shot gun held under his chin. Officers were able to deescalate the situation and the man was taken into custody without further incident.

The child was located safely in a carseat in the back seat of the vehicle. The man, whose name was not released, was transported to Bothwell where he was placed on a 96-hour psychiatric evaluation.

He will face criminal charges if appropriate. The child was returned to the mother after reports were made to Child Services.