PALMYRA — Officers with the Palmyra Police Department arrested Takota Spencer on May 13 following reports that he attempted to drown his mother and her dogs at a residence on Gates Street.
Police said the incident was reported at about 11:51 a.m. after a 911 call indicated a male subject was attempting to harm his mother and her pets.
As officers arrived, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy who tried to intervene was physically attacked by Spencer, according to police.
Investigators determined that Spencer allegedly restrained his mother, obstructed her breathing by placing his hand over her mouth and nose, and attempted to submerge her in a bathtub full of water while making statements about trying to “release the demons” from her body.
Authorities said Spencer’s mother managed to free herself before Spencer then tried to drown her dogs.
When she tried to call 911, Spencer allegedly took the phone from her hands and threw it into the bathtub, preventing her from completing the call.
Spencer was arrested on charges including first-degree unlawful imprisonment, first-degree reckless endangerment, third- and fourth-degree criminal mischief, criminal obstruction of breathing, second-degree harassment, and resisting arrest.
He was remanded to Wayne County Jail pending evaluation and CAP arraignment.
