Fairfield woman arrested after hostage situation

FAIRFIELD — A Fairfield woman was taken into custody early Friday morning after barricading herself in a home with a 3-year-old child.

Sherry Thomas-McCabe, 26, was arrested in the 800 block of East Burlington Avenue, near the intersection with Maple Street, after law enforcement had to force their way into the home following an altercation Thomas-McCabe had with her boyfriend.

According to a news release from the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, Fairfield police were called to the home at 2:12 a.m. Friday in response to a domestic assault. Upon arrival, a man advised officers that his girlfriend had assaulted him and forced him out of the home, and that she would not let him back inside to retrieve his 3-year-old son.

“The male attempted to call the female on the phone with officers present,” the news release stated. “While on the phone, the female threatened to shoot officers if they approached the residence. The male advised that the female had access to two firearms inside the residence.”

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Fairfield Police Department’s joint Strategic Response Team was activated and responded to the scene. A Fairfield police negotiator communicated with the woman, who released the child to authorities while also barricading herself in the home. Negotiations continued, but at one point the woman stopped responding to the negotiator. Once negotiations ceased, the response team initiated a “dynamic entry” and deployed a K-9 unit to clear and secure the residence.

The news release stated that the woman was found inside a hidden compartment in a crawl-space in the home, armed with a loaded AR-style rifle.

Thomas-McCabe was charged with domestic abuse assault second offense, interference with official acts — display or possess dangerous weapon, and assault — display or possessing a dangerous weapon.

Thomas-McCabe was transported to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility and held on bond pending an initial court appearance.

Assisting the Fairfield Police Department in the apprehension of Sherry Thomas-McCabe was the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, CARE Ambulance, Fairfield Fire Department, and the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com