BALTIMORE (WJZ)- A city police detective took matters into his own hands when his teenage daughter went missing. The department says he used his badge to search homes without permission. Now he's been yanked from his duties.
Kai Jackson has more on the unauthorized raids.
Police say the officer has been suspended for an apparent abuse of police powers.
Baltimore police say they've suspended Detective Daniel Thomas Nicholson IV regarding a case involving his daughter. Police say Nicholson is the subject of a criminal investigation by the city state's attorney's office.
"A citizen did contact Internal Affairs with some pretty serious concerns and given those concerns, we decided to suspend the officer," said Anthony Guglielmi, Baltimore City Police spokesperson.
Police say Nicholson's own teenage daughter Moriah was reported missing April 20. According to WJZ's media partner, the Baltimore Sun, Baltimore County police were investigating the case. City police say Nicholson went on his own search for his daughter and that's the reason for the investigation. Nicholson's daughter eventually returned home.
"We have a history here of holding individuals accountable and investigating all allegations and that's exactly what we're committed to doing in this case," Guglielmi said.
Ironically, Nicholson was the lead detective in the nationally publicized Phylicia Barnes case. The missing teen - who was later found murdered in the Conowingo Dam - is not related to Nicholson.
Police say a joint investigation is underway between Baltimore City Police Internal Affairs and the city state's attorney's office.
