Son who locked boys who were vandalizing father-in-law's home in a closet faces JAIL



A man who says he caught four boys vandalizing his father-in-law's home has been charged with child endangerment after corralling them in a closet until police arrived.



Jesse Daniels was arraigned on four counts of endangering the welfare of a child after authorities say he interrupted the vandalism at the empty home in the Wayne County village of Clyde, midway between Rochester and Syracuse.



Daniels, 53, told WHAM-TV in Rochester that he heard pounding coming from the home next door the night of June 8. The house is empty while Daniels renovates it for his father-in-law.



Charged: Jesse Daniels is being charged with child endangerment for locking two vandals in a closet while he waited for police to arrive

Disturbing: Daniels was arraigned on four counts of endangering the welfare of a child after authorities say he interrupted the vandalism at the empty home in the Wayne County village of Clyde

Makeover you don't want: Daniels said he went to investigate while his wife called 911. He said he found four boys, ages 8 and 10, inside with hammers. He took a hammer from one, then stuck the boys in a closet until officers arrived

What a mess! The kids parents said Daniels handled the boys roughly and threatened them with the hammer

Daniels said he went to investigate while his wife called 911. He said he found four boys, ages 8 and 10, inside with hammers. He took a hammer from one, then stuck the boys in a closet until officers arrived, he said.



'I was fortunate that they were in that room that had a closet, so I put them in the closet,' he said. 'I said, "Listen, you guys are staying here until the police come, period."'

Their parents said Daniels handled the boys roughly and threatened them with the hammer.



The damage to the home included holes in the walls, broken windows and graffiti derogatory to women spray-painted on walls. Daniels estimated that the damage to his father-in-law's property exceeds $40,000.



Damage: Daniels estimates that the damage to the house is over $40,000

Shattered glass: The two vandals were only 8- and 10-years-old

Trashed: damage to the home included holes in the walls, broken windows and graffiti derogatory to women spray-painted on walls

Disbelief: It's estimated that the damage to his father-in-law's property exceeds $40,000

Motive: Daniels believes the boys committed the vandalism in retaliation for Daniels' wife telling them earlier in the day to stay off the couple's property

He said he believed the boys committed the vandalism in retaliation for Daniels' wife telling them earlier in the day to stay off the couple's property.



The boys have been charged with burglary and criminal mischief. Their cases are being handled in Wayne County Family Court.

Paul Bowler, the father of two of the boys, told the station that there are no excuses for his sons' actions.



'I understand they were in the wrong, but there are other ways to handle it,' he said. 'He (Daniels) knew who the kids were. It's not like they were strangers. And send the kids home and call the cops then. You don't sit there and torment them and tell them you're going to bash their skulls in with a hammer.'



Fixer-upper: Daniels was renovating the house for his father-in-law. The damage has set him back considerably

Charges: The boys have been charged with burglary and criminal mischief. Their cases are being handled in Wayne County Family Court

No excuse: Paul Bowler, the father of two of the boys, told the station that there are no excuses for his sons' actions

Wrecked: Mr Bowler said Daniels grabbed the neck of one of his sons and left a mark. He said that his boys are traumatized and that Daniels should have faced more charges

Bowler said Daniels grabbed the neck of one of his sons and left a mark. He said that his boys are traumatized and that Daniels should have faced more charges.



Daniels counters that he was just trying to protect his family.



Daniels is due back in court later this month. It wasn't immediately clear if he has a lawyer.



Wayne County District Attorney Richard Healy told the station that the incident is still under investigation.