DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
MIAMI TOWNSHIP -- An armed Miami Heights man, threatening suicide, held Hamilton County deputies at bay for more than 14 hours Monday before surrendering. No shots were fired in the standoff, and no one was injured.
George Sladeck, 34, of Southernwood Drive was charged with inducing panic, possession of a weapon under disability and child endangering, said Col. Dan Wolfangel, sheriff's spokesman.
Mr. Sladeck's 4-year-old son was in the house when the standoff began shortly after 3 a.m., but Mr. Sladeck quickly released the boy to deputies.
Deputies were called to the home after Mr. Sladeck, talking to someone on the telephone, said he wanted to commit suicide. When deputies arrived at the house, Mr. Sladeck opened the door, held a revolver under his chin and said he wanted to die, Col. Wolfangel said.
Mr. Sladeck's wife was at work when the incident began, Col. Wolfangel said.
Sheriff's negotiators talked with Mr. Sladeck throughout the day. The incident ended about 5:30 p.m., when Mr. Sladeck opened the house's front door and was taken into custody. The entrance to the subdivision was closed throughout the day.
Mr. Sladeck was taken to University Hospital for evaluation. Negotiators and deputies settled in for a long siege, Col. Wolfangel said. "You actually wait longer when nobody's at risk."
