RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Raleigh County man is accused of using his 2-year-old son as a human shield while resisting arrest during a domestic disturbance.
According to a criminal complaint, the incident began on October 30, 2026, when Hunter Lantz was involved in a verbal argument with his wife, Jocelyn Lantz, at their residence.
During the argument, Lantz allegedly grabbed his wife by the left wrist and attempted to take her phone, causing redness and the beginning of a bruise, along with a small cut to her right hand.
The victim reportedly separated herself from Lantz and went outside the residence.
When officers arrived, Lantz allegedly refused to come outside. After several unsuccessful attempts to get him to open the back door, officers went to the front of the residence and observed him sitting on a couch.
Police say Lantz eventually unlocked the door after repeated commands.
However, when an officer attempted to speak with him outside, Lantz allegedly became belligerent and began walking away.
According to the complaint, officers attempted to place Lantz in handcuffs, but he refused repeated commands to put his hands behind his back.
During the struggle, Lantz allegedly grabbed his 2-year-old son and held the child in front of him as a human shield, placing the child in the middle of the confrontation.
The complaint states Lantz continued resisting arrest even after being drive-stunned with a Taser and receiving several closed-fist strikes to his back.
Officers eventually broke his grasp on the child and took him into custody.
The complaint did not indicate whether the child suffered any injuries.
