Key West man barricades himself inside home while children left unattended, deputies say

Vaughn Luther Key Willis. (Monroe County Sheriff's Office)

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A Key West man was arrested Friday after deputies said he barricaded himself inside a home with a woman still inside, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Jail records show 36-year-old Vaughn Luther Key Willis is facing an array of charges that include battery, child neglect, kidnapping, false imprisonment and DUI.

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According to MCSO Spokesperson Adam Linhardt, deputies were called to a residence on Big Coppitt Key, just after 12:20 a.m. where Willis pushed and restrained a 35-year-old woman and, refused to let her leave or access her phone.

Authorities said Willis left two children, ages 8 and 9, unattended at a residence in Key West at the same time of the incident.

Linhardt said both children were subsequently placed in the care of a family member.

There were no serious injuries reported.

Authorities said Willis was later stopped by MCSO deputies after driving southbound on U.S. 1 heading toward Key West, where he was detained for DUI and taken to jail.


About the Author
Ryan Mackey headshot

Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Long Island, New York, and has lived in Sunrise, Florida since 1994.

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