President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security has countered a report from a California news outlet that suggested immigration officials “escaped” with an American infant during a detention. This incident occurred during an immigration operation at a hardware store in Cypress Park, where agents detained 32-year-old Dennis Quinones, who had a 1-year-old child in his vehicle.
The report indicated that two agents entered Quinones’ car armed and then drove away with the child as witnesses protested the situation. A DHS representative stated that Quinones allegedly exited the vehicle wielding a hammer and hurling rocks at law enforcement while the child remained inside.
Additionally, the outlet mentioned that Quinones was arrested on suspicion of assault. During the arrest, law enforcement found a stolen handgun from his vehicle, and he has an outstanding warrant for property damage. Moreover, he faces charges linked to illegal firearm possession, given his prior domestic violence conviction.
In response to the situation, an immigrant activist claimed that the presence of heavily armed agents posed severe risks to the young child. The activist emphasized the shock that such actions could occur against an American family simply running an errand.
Details shared in the article revealed that investigators chose to separate Quinones and his daughter, later discovering that the handgun was loaded with five rounds. An LA Times reporter shared on social media about the operation, stating that the American citizen was detained under suspicious circumstances but had since been reunited with family. Quinones’ grandmother expressed her discontent, implying that the agents’ actions were inappropriate.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sharply criticized the post about the incident. According to her, Quinones left his child in the car to engage in a violent confrontation with law enforcement. She insisted that due to Quinones’ arrest for assault, coupled with the discovery of a firearm in his car and his active warrant, law enforcement acted reasonably to ensure the child’s safety until they could return him to his parents.
In retort, a spokesperson from the LA Times reaffirmed their commitment to the story’s accuracy, mentioning that the information provided by DHS was clearly reported in the article.
