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Dozens of Charges for Man Who Barricaded Self In Home, Leaving Infants in Car

A father who barricaded himself inside a Deerfield Beach home Monday morning after leaving two infants behind will stay behind bars on dozens of charges.

Ricardo Ilus, 22, appeared in bond court Tuesday where he faced 25 different charges. And because of his lengthy criminal record, the judge denied bond on some of the charges, which include driving with a suspended or revoked license, attempting to flee a law enforcement officer and violating probation.

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, deputies were performing a routine traffic stop at Northwest 42nd Court and Third Avenue when Ilus jammed his car into park and ran from the car.

Police said he ran into a nearby home, where he lives with his parents at 4070 Northwest Third Terrace, and barricaded himself inside.

The SWAT team was deployed and engaged in an hours long standoff. Police said running from the law is nothing new to Ilus. He is a fugitive who was already wanted on more than 15 charges.

"He has a long criminal history including aggravated assault, domestic violence, possession of cocaine. He also has two active warrants for his arrest," said Gina Carter of the Broward Sheriff's Office.

He later surrendered to authorities without incident.

A woman who claimed to be a relative showed up on the scene suggesting that Ilus may have mental issues. She went on to compliment Ilus' parenting skills, even after leaving the two babies in the car.

"That's a lie. That's what I can say. That's a lie. He's the best father in the world. That's all I can tell you. He took his kids to the doctor the other day. He's the best father in the world," she said.

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, Ilus left his two children in the car while he bolted for freedom. The sudden stop launched the infants, who were not restrained, forward.

"A four-month-old was found under the driver's seat and a one-year-old was found on the floor in the back seat. Neither of these children were in child seats or wearing seat belts of any kind," Carter said.

The children were taken to Broward North Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and later released into the custody of their mother.

Shortly after, deputies unloaded unused child seats and personal belongings. A wrecker towed the get-away car, which is now evidence.

Child protective services later arrived with the children and their mother to collect their belongings. Their father is once again facing serious charges, including child abuse, aggravated assault on an officer, resisting with violence, fleeing and traffic violations, authorities said.

Ilus has an extensive drug history and prior arrests, BSO officials said.

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