Grand Island man accused of holding 10-year-old hostage during standoff

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Grand Island man held a boy hostage on Thursday during a standoff with law enforcement, police say.

Officers accompanied the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to Dennis Acker’s home near Sixth and Adams streets.

They were there to remove the 10-year-old boy, who was in the state’s custody.

But Acker refused to turn over the child, according to the Grand Island Police Department.

Police said while inside the home, he showed a knife to officers, with the boy standing nearby.

Acker later forced the child into a back bedroom, GIPD said, and kept him there for hours as he ignored officers’ orders.

Authorities said at one point, Acker opened the front door with his knife in hand.

He was eventually arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, intentional child abuse without injury and obstructing a peace officer.

The boy is now safe in the custody of DHHS, police said.