The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said they that it received a call on Monday, March 30 to check on the well-being of an individual. The caller said the person was acting irrationally and he was concerned for his safety. The caller also said the person made statements indicating he may be planning to harm himself. The man was believed to be in possession of a firearm.

Deputies responded to an address on 14th Street W, Lehigh Acres. Contact was made with the man but he refused to exit the home, authorities said.

This was initially treated as a hostage situation as there were three children in the home, Sheriff’s officials said.

Hostage negotiators, members of the Special Operations Squad, and district deputies responded to the scene. A perimeter was established and nearby homes evacuated to ensure the safety of individuals in surrounding residences. The children were safely removed from the home and are now with a relative, authorities said.

The man eventually came out of the house and was taken into custody under the Baker Act. He was taken to a medical facility where he will receive a mental health evaluation. His identity is being withheld due to the nature of the incident. No criminal charges will be filed. Firearms were removed from the home and taken into custody for safekeeping.