Dad arrested after assaulting mom, holding 6-month-old daughter hostage for six hours (Weld County, Colorado)

More freaking Daddy Drama at its finest. Dad GABRIEL ESPARZA is charged with violating a restraining order, assaulting his daughter's mother, then holding their 6-month-old daughter hostage for six hours, Of course that came complete with the SWAT team and all the usual trimmings. But in reality, it seems Daddy abandoned the baby unattended, because he was, um, thirsty. The police found his @$$ behind a liquor store. No big surprise that this guy has a history of domestic violence....

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18720983

Weld County authorities arrest father after hostage scare with baby
By Caitlin Gibbons
The Denver Post
Posted: 08/20/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT

The father who authorities feared was holding his baby hostage for six hours in a LaSalle house Friday was arrested after he was found behind a nearby liquor store.

Gabriel Esparza, 44, was taken into custody about 8 p.m. He will face a charge of violating a restraining order, an assault charge and possibly child abuse charges, said Weld County Undersheriff Margie Martinez.

The mother of the 6-month-old girl, Tammy Dansko, 19, fled the home early Friday after Esparza allegedly assaulted and threatened her.

She was treated at the scene for injuries that were not life-threatening, Martinez said.

About 1:30 a.m., police were called and surrounded the home, but no contact was made with Esparza, Martinez said.

A SWAT team entered the home about 7:30 a.m. and retrieved the baby unharmed, but they could not find Esparza.

Following a tip, police found him later behind a store a few blocks away.

Dansko has a restraining order on Esparza, but it does not cover the child, Martinez said.

The sheriff's office suspects alcohol is involved, which is a violation of the restraining order.

Esparza pleaded guilty to felony menacing charges in 2007. He also was charged with domestic violence in 2003 as part of a disorderly-conduct charge.