An Oklahoma man with an extensive criminal record was arrested after allegedly breaking into a family’s home and getting into bed with their young child.
Authorities were alerted to the situation in Oklahoma City on Saturday, March 14, when Josh Hodnik was awakened by his 11-year-old son, who said there was an unfamiliar man in his bed. Hodnik initially found it hard to believe, wondering if his son was just having a nightmare or perhaps misinterpreting something.
“I was in shock, shaking,” Hodnik recounted. “I thought, what do you mean?” He assumed his son might be sleepwalking or imagining things.
But when he went to check, he discovered his son was indeed telling the truth.
“There was an adult man lying on the bed,” Hodnik said, according to reports. “He had his own blanket and was only wearing one sock.”
Hodnik recalled that the night before, his two children had been playing outside. Upon returning, they mentioned that their father hadn’t locked the front door before heading to bed.
“After they played outside, I didn’t check the front door,” Hodnik admitted. “I wish it were different, but we shouldn’t have to live in a world where strangers can just walk in.”
The man was identified as 46-year-old Charles Bradford, who was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree robbery among other misdemeanor counts.
Local news later revealed Bradford’s long criminal history, which included numerous arrests for assault and theft.
In 2002, he was convicted of first-degree manslaughter for killing his cellmate in prison. This made Hodnik question why such a repeat offender was free on the streets.
“This man should not have been out. He’s committed multiple violent crimes and has assaulted police and medical personnel,” Hodnik expressed.
Following his arrest, the District Attorney’s Office stated that Bradford had sought entry into a mental health court, as he was deemed likely to benefit from treatment.
Still, officials are reconsidering his participation due to the new charges against him.
“He shouldn’t be on the streets,” Hodnik said. “I felt sorry for him, but he was in my child’s bed. All I could think was not to harm him.”
Bradford is currently held in the Cleveland County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond, as per court records. The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office has not yet provided a comment on this case.
