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Man Holds Mom Hostage for Not Ironing

By Kamika Dunlap on July 14, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A 29-year-old has been charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment for holding his mother hostage at gunpoint for refusing iron his clothes.

Robert Edward Tyrrell Jr. allegedly pulled out a gun on his mother, took her keys and cell phone and refused to let her leave for at least six hours, the Associated Press reports.

According to officials, the man may be ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. He told his mother '"Ironing is woman's work."

Tyrell's mother eventually managed to escape and went to a police station.

Authorities were able to talk Tyrell into stepping outside his residence and turning himself in.

Tyrrell surrendered without incident, officials said.

He is facing aggravated assault and false imprisonment charges.

A person is guilty of aggravated assault if he or she attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another or causes such injury purposely, knowingly, or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; or attempts to cause or purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon.

In general, false imprisonment is the illegal confinement of one individual against his or her will by another individual in such a manner as to violate the confined individual's right to be free from restraint of movement.

It involves the use of physical force, but such force is not required. The threat of force or arrest, or a belief on the part of the person being restrained that force will be used, is sufficient.

To recover damages for false imprisonment in a civil case, an individual must be confined to a substantial degree, with her or his freedom of movement totally restrained.

In this case, Tyrrell is in jail with no bond. His first court appearance is scheduled.

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