A man was arrested in Wayne County after allegedly trying to drown his mother and her dogs in a violent domestic incident earlier this month.
Police identified the suspect as Takota Spencer. He faces multiple charges following a confrontation that unfolded May 13 at a home on Gates Street in Palmyra.
According to the Palmyra Police Department, officers responded around 11:45 a.m. to a report that a person was attempting to drown his mother and her pets. As officers approached the scene, an off-duty Wayne County sheriff’s deputy tried to intervene and was attacked by Spencer, police said.
Authorities allege Spencer forcibly restrained his mother, covering her mouth and nose while attempting to submerge her in a bathtub full of water. He claimed he was trying to “release the demons” from her body.
Police said the mother managed to free herself before Spencer allegedly turned his attention to her dogs, attempting to drown them as well. When the mother said she would call 911, Spencer reportedly grabbed her phone and threw it into the water.
Spencer was arrested and charged with unlawful imprisonment, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal obstruction of breathing, harassment, and resisting arrest. He remains in custody at the Wayne County Jail pending an evaluation and arraignment.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].