Death threat against your children...

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Easton, PA
Now before I dive deep into how this occurred I'll preface by saying I doubt the guy would have materialized on said threat. However things do happen these days that make you think twice.

When my wife gets the early shift as her work rotates morning hours. She is out of the house with the 2 yr old by 6:15AM. She drives to her parents and drops of the youngling so she can be at work by 7AM. Her mother than drops said child at daycare before proceeding to her work. We would do it ourselves but her daycare doesn't open til 7AM. My wife would obviously be late and I am responsible for getting the not so young 6yr old daughter off to school by 7:30AM so time is not luxury, not with driving time at least.

I get a frantic call from her on my way to drop my daughter off at school. Her mom received a death threat and had pictures of her car, my daughter, & herself taken from an angry parent.

Apparently at a 4 way stop sign she waited patiently for a handicap girl to board a bus. It did not have it's flashers or stop sign out as it was parked on the road. So technically she didn't have to wait but did so out of courtesy. After the girl boarded she drove around the bus and up towards the daycare.

The father of the girl started beating on her car saying he would kill her & my daughter because apparently in his view she had to follow the bus out. He took pictures as I said before. My daughter was scared and rightfully so.

I told her to call the daycare and inform them as they do go outside just in case Mr. Nut makes good on anything. I called the local PD but they wanted to hear it from my mom-in-law themselves. I told her to call but they insisted she drive down instead. So she made a 30 min trip back to that town. Mr. Nut was already there and from what I was told is usually there everyday for something. This is his typical behavior apparently and even his neighbor called to back up my mom-in-law saying he was way out of line. He also got into an argument with said neighbor over this. The police basically said something to pacify him and get him out of there.

To put it plainly she broke no law as the bus was parked and no lights were flashing. She didn't press charges but could easily because a child was in the car. I agree even though I think the guy is way in the wrong. They are now posting a squad car at that intersection every morning for an hour or so just in case he does it again.

I can only assume he directed his misplaced anger because his daughter is handicapped and things the world should revolve around her? I don't know...

Pressing charges would involve him being arrested for death threats & something else. Involve children services especially if he is the only parent. I certainly don't need that on my conscience but man the guy is little off.

I get angry constantly on my street and my other daughter's new school when people go whipping by at 40MPH+ when it is clearly marked as 20. I throw out a "SLOW DOWN" yell but nothing that crazy. I mean it is residential street...not a boulevard.

Just another day though...my wife wants to teach him a lesson. She is scared, furious...all the emotions. I am just trying to be calm about it.
 
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A terrible occurrence and (maybe I'm sexist but) terrifying for a woman.

Have you thought about buying a gun for her to keep in the glovebox? Or grey import an anti-jacking system from S.A?

Both options are cheaper than having an armed escort 24/7
 
Restraining order for threats. Pepper spray if he ever gets within 15ft. Taser if he keeps coming.
 
Perhaps this guy needs a mental illness eval.

I admire your ability to keep calm.

I don't know if I'd be as calm if someone went that far to threaten my daughter and mother in law.
 
I would press charges at minimum. There is no way I would let someone take pics and threaten like that without pressing charges. I do like the glove box thing as well. These days I would not take a threat like that lightly at all. Just think how you and your family would feel if this nut actually did something and you had the chance to help prevent it. This is just my opinion of course. You might have a better feel for this since you are around there.
 
I would agree with starting with a restraining order, if for no other reason that now he has a record of making threats. It will make it easier for police to take action in he does anything again. Cudos for keeping your wits about you.
 
The police are playing with dynamite if all they are doing is placating a "frequent flyer" as this guy is.

How long until one of his apparently frequent tirades escalates into something more?

Sounds like he needs some sort of help. Psych? Anger management? A needed break from caring for his child?

I'm not dismissing the fear your wife and MIL have. I'm just looking at the root of the issue. How long before this ticking time bomb goes off?

Maybe charges or the restraining order are needed to move dealing with him to the next level?
 
Do as much legally right now as you can. This nut may be a dangerous nut. With a threat like that he needs to be prosecuted if possible. Get some legal help, pay the fees.....and go after this guy immediately.
 
Press charges.

It's not your worry about what happens after you make the call. If CPS gets involved, he brought it upon himself. Actually, if he's acting as indicated then maybe someone should be looking at the family.

There are too many nuts out there to ignore these death threats. We all get angry at traffic and people speeding down residential streets but in this case it was entirely unprovoked. Until the police actually have someone file a complaint their hands are tied.

You can always talk to the DA about what you expect to happen once charges are filed. Even if this guy just gets anger management at least it will be documented. It may also make it difficult for HIM to get a firearm or keep one if he has one.
 
It's easy for me to say this after the event, and I acknowledge how hard it can be to keep calm and think straight under extreme duress, but (and it's a BIG but)
When you're in a car and somebody on foot starts threatening/shouting/attacking or whatever, just run them over.
Even with a weapon concealed in the glovebox you still have to reach over, grab the gun, make sure a round is chambered and then you can start to assert yourself.
If the situation is so critical/time limited/intimidating that you don't have time to grab your gun it only takes one quick flex of your ankle and the problem is solved.

NB - a dashcam is invaluable in these situations.
 
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The guy just lost his cool and most likely this will be the last you ever hear of him. If that is not the case, then a firearm kept in the center console/glovebox for at least the next couple of months should be an absolute necessity. Remember, when seconds count, the cops are only minutes away.

I was a deputy for over 10 years until recently. I ALWAYS recommended to victims that they arm themselves. It gets so tiring responding to crime after crime where the victim could have turned the tables had they had access to a firearm.

Also, good quality dash cams can be found online for as little as $50-$70. Might be a good idea to have a camera recording all the time due to this guys behavior.
 
I would file the complaint and get a restraining order. You've got the pictures and proof of the threat.

Then get the dash cam so that any future incidents are recorded.

Arming someone is a big step that requires training, legal education, and a decision to be willing to use lethal force. Just keep in mind that she is at the controls of a 4,000 lb machine - far more powerful than any gun from a pure physics perspective. The gas pedal and steering will get her away from this guy should he ever threaten her again...and the dash cam will provide all the evidence she needs to see this guy prosecuted.
 
Originally Posted By: Astro14
I would file the complaint and get a restraining order. You've got the pictures and proof of the threat.

Then get the dash cam so that any future incidents are recorded.

Arming someone is a big step that requires training, legal education, and a decision to be willing to use lethal force. Just keep in mind that she is at the controls of a 4,000 lb machine - far more powerful than any gun from a pure physics perspective. The gas pedal and steering will get her away from this guy should he ever threaten her again...and the dash cam will provide all the evidence she needs to see this guy prosecuted.


That's kinda what I was getting at... If she already owns a firearm then she needs to keep it with her. If she doesn't own a firearm or isn't prepared to deal with the responsibility of carrying a weapon then she needs to remember that a 2 ton steel box is VERY effective at stopping attackers.
 
I received several death threats when I was full time. My opinion is that you don't have to worry too much about the wackos making overt threats; the ones that are truly dangerous are the kooks who don't broadcast their intentions and just DO it...
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
I received several death threats when I was full time. My opinion is that you don't have to worry too much about the wackos making overt threats; the ones that are truly dangerous are the kooks who don't broadcast their intentions and just DO it...


You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or you gonna bite
wink.gif
 
Thanks for the support and suggestions.

Her mom is a hunter and has her carry permit up to date last I asked. As I said I am unsure as to whether or not she still carries her snub .357 but I'll ask obviously.

I am taking it a little more seriously after reading some of the replies and considering the restraining order for my daughter's sake. I'll agree I usually let one off wackos like this go with the wind but it is correct to assume you never know. When you do it is already to late.
 
If the guy hasn't done anything else you need to consider that a restraining order might ratchet up the kook's hysteria a bit further. I don't know the procedure for a restraining order in PA, but in most states you need to file a criminal complaint in order to obtain one- unless it involves domestic violence.
 
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