x
Breaking News
More () »

Illinois man accused of holding children hostage

Police surrounded a home in southern Illinois after a woman reportedly escaped and told them a man was holding three children hostage inside the house.
crime scene tape generic

Police surrounded a home in southern Illinois after a woman reportedly escaped and told them a man was holding three children hostage inside the house.

State Police and Hardin County deputies were called to a home in rural Cave In Rock, Illinois, just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2015.  A woman had called 911 and said she had escaped, but that three children were still inside the home with an armed man.  The man had allegedly fired several shots inside the house.

One of the children escaped without injury after police surrounded the home.  About a half-hour later, 36-year-old Clarence Harley Smock was apprehended a he tried to leave.  The other two children were also unharmed, police said.

Police said they found “multiple firearms” when they searched the house.  They were still investigating what started the incident.

Smock was charged with aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and domestic battery.  Smock was held in the Massac County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond according to Illinois State Police.

Before You Leave, Check This Out