La Mesa, Calif. — Oct 9, 2025
A tense SWAT standoff in La Mesa ended safely Thursday evening after police rescued a one-month-old baby and detained the child’s mother, who had barricaded herself inside a home on Seton Hall Street.
Police say the situation began around 1 p.m. when neighbors called 911 for a welfare check, reporting possible abuse or neglect of the infant. Officers tried to reach the mother by phone and over a loudspeaker but received no response. La Mesa Police Lt. Kati Lynch said officers were initially working to confirm the baby’s safety and assess the mother’s mental state, adding that they were unsure if the concerns were related to postpartum or other existing issues.
Around 5 p.m., the baby’s father spoke with police and confirmed that the child was OK when he left the home. Negotiators eventually made voice contact with the mother, but she refused to come out. Tactical officers later entered the home, using 40 mm less-lethal rounds to gain compliance.
Shortly after, a SWAT officer was seen carrying the baby to safety, followed moments later by officers leading the woman out in custody. Both were unharmed.
Police said a second female inside the home was also safely located. Fire and EMS crews staged nearby during the incident.
The mother was detained, and the child was transported to the hospital for evaluation. The case remains under investigation by La Mesa Police.
