Deputies Talk Man with Knife into Letting 2 Small Children Out of Home

An Imperial Beach man seen pacing with a large kitchen knife at his Fern Avenue home amid two small children was taken into custody Friday night, authorities said.

Original story: Man with Butcher Knife Causes Concern for Children's Safety

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Andersen, deputies from the Imperial Beach station responded to a 911 hangup call at 1300 Fern Ave. about a little before 10 p.m.

“The deputies looked through the window and saw a 24-year-old male inside the residence, holding a large kitchen knife, pacing in an agitated manner,” Andersen said in a news release.

Deputies also noticed two small children in the home.

The man, whose name was not disclosed, refused to open the door and come out of the residence to talk to deputies, Andersen said. Instead, the man told the deputies to leave.

After talking to the man for about an hour, deputies were able to persuade him to open the door of the and hand over the children, he said.

The man was taken into custody and transported to the San Diego Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation, authorities said.

The children were released to their mother, Andersen said.