Handwritten note leads Florida police to children hiding inside home

Handwritten note leads Florida police to children hiding inside home Advertisement Updated: 8:41 PM EST Nov 10, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Allison Petro Digital Producer Handwritten note leads Florida police to children hiding inside home Updated: 8:41 PM EST Nov 10, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Allison Petro Digital Producer A handwritten note reading "HELP US" helped Kissimmee police find children hiding inside a home during a domestic disturbance. Kissimmee Police Department officers responded to a domestic disturbance involving Andre Janard Smithson on Oct. 26. Advertisement Kissimmee Police Department Family members told police that children were inside the residence and feared for their safety. Related video above: Racine gold scam suspects among 10 indicted in federal case Officers used a drone to search the home and located the children hiding in a room. During the search, one child held a handwritten note against a window that read "HELP US," according to Kissimmee police. Police said the children safely left the residence while Smithson was distracted. Smithson eventually surrendered peacefully, police said. Kissimmee police said he is facing charges of false imprisonment and an outstanding active warrant. Make WTAE a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Ole Miss student apologizes after video showing women making racist gestures sparks backlash Video: Drone delivers food to ape stranded during Florida flooding Public health alert issued for three frozen meat products, USDA warns Paul McCartney achieves billionaire status, becomes world’s third-richest musician