Woman Barricaded Herself After Chasing Child With Knife: Police

(Updated at 4:50 p.m. Friday): LAUREL, MD — A Beltsville woman is in custody after a five-hour barricade situation at a townhouse in Laurel Friday.

Police responded to a domestic disturbance call at 9:38 a.m. in the 14700 block of Phillip Court.

Arriving officers were informed that Rosby Taylor, 24, had been chasing a child around the home with a knife, police said.

The uninjured juvenile and other family members were able to leave the residence prior to the officers’ arrival.

Officers found the front door barricaded and the front windows covered. They attempted to make contact with Taylor, which were unsuccessful and resulted in the barricade being declared.

"The Emergency Response teams conducted numerous attempts to make contact with the suspect," Laurel Police said. "Bullhorn requests, telephone calls and social media messages were made in an attempt to speak with the suspect but they were unsuccessful."

Detectives applied for an arrest warrant for Taylor during the barricade. Officers were then able to gain entry into the home and arrest her without incident.

There were no injuries to any parties in this situation, police said. Out of safety concerns for the community, four nearby residences were evacuated.

Members of the Laurel Police Department and Takoma Park Police Department’s Emergency Response Teams responded to the scene.

Taylor was transported to an area hospital for precautionary reasons. She is now facing one count of First Degree Assault First Degree and Two Counts of Assault Second Degree.

Anyone with additional information related to this incident is asked to call the Laurel Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (301) 498-8002.

Photo: Patch Graphic