Man holds 7 children hostage in St. George hotel room, SWAT responds

ST. GEORGE, Utah ( ABC4 ) — St. George Police responded to a hotel room where a man was holding his seven children hostage on Saturday.

At around 11 p.m. on Sept. 7, police responded to a domestic violence situation at a St. George hotel located on the 1100 block of South Bluff Street. Officers found Jonathan Dayzie and a woman, who were both engaged in a physical fight.

Officers were able to separate the two, according to a press release from St. George Police, however, Dayzie got inside the hotel room and barricaded the door, refusing to speak with officers.

Dayzie’s seven children were also located inside the room. Dayzie reportedly threatened to hurt them during the incident.

“It was determined that an aggravated assault, kidnapping, and several other charges occurred between a female and Jonathan. Jonathan was also actively holding their seven children against their will in the whole hotel room and had threatened to hurt their children as well during the incident. SWAT was called due to the barricaded/hostage situation,” the release states.

Dayzie reportedly would not surrender and SWAT made what police called “an energetic breach,” to gain access to the room. The children were then released to the woman — who was their mother.

Medical personnel cleared everyone on scene of injuries.

Dayzie was booked into Washington County Jail on two counts of aggravated assault, kidnapping, unlawful detention, seven counts of domestic violence in the presence of children, disorderly conduct, seven counts of child abuse, obstruction of justice, interfering with a peace officer, and intoxication.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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