SANFORD, Maine— Sanford police responded to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention following a car crash involving federal agents around 9 a.m. Thursday.
According to Sanford police, federal agents attempted to stop a vehicle near Brook and High streets when the driver reversed into one of their cars. Police Chief Eric Small reported that officers were dispatched to investigate the incident and assist with a 1-year-old child found in the vehicle.
ICE agents used two of their vehicles to block the man's car, leading to the crash. Witness Wendy Deflaminis noted that the driver appeared to be trying to maneuver around the federal vehicles when he hit one in the rear. Small indicated that the collision caused no significant damage and occurred at a “very low speed.”
Following the crash, ICE agents instructed the driver to stop and raise his hands, and he complied. The man's identity remains undisclosed, as ICE has not responded to inquiries about his detention.
After detaining the driver, agents discovered a 1-year-old in a car seat that was not properly secured. The child was taken to MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Sanford for evaluation out of “an abundance of caution.” No injuries were reported.
Authorities later learned that the driver had two additional unattended children, ages 9 and 2, at home. Child Protective Services and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services intervened, and the older children were placed with a family friend.
Small confirmed that the vehicle was towed from the scene. Emergency personnel also assessed the father while he was in federal custody.
ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security were approached for further information but had not responded by Thursday evening.
This is a developing story.