Florida police arrest uninvolved Black family during suspect search, then allegedly unleash K-9 on the mother

A Black family in Lakeland, Florida, was in their own home when police officers arrested them while searching for a suspect who fled a traffic stop. The incident reportedly escalated when a police dog was allegedly let loose and attacked the mother, resulting in injuries. Now, a civil rights lawsuit has put a dent in Lakeland city’s finances.

In March 2019, Lakeland police officers were chasing after a man suspected of driving a stolen vehicle before the chase shifted to a search on foot, according to LkldNow. Tracking down the suspect reportedly led the officers to an apartment complex. Officer Chad Landry was said to have announced, “Lakeland Police Department canine unit. If you can hear my voice, make your presence known or the canine unit will find and bite you,” per court documents.

Landry had his K-9, a Belgian Malinois named Nox, track the suspect’s scent on the sidewalk before officers stumbled upon Iquan Isaac talking to a neighbor. They ordered the individuals to return to their apartment, but Iquan accidentally knocked over a lamp and a table in his family’s apartment.

Florida family was arrested and charged despite being unrelated to suspect search

The commotion reportedly woke up Iquan’s father, Lorenzo, who opened their apartment door to investigate. He was met with officers shouting and was also ordered to return inside. “Go inside, or you’re going to be charged,” officers told Lorenzo, according to court documents.

Officer Benjamin Blommel tried to arrest Lorenzo on the grounds of non-violent obstruction of an officer for failing to follow the order. The encounter reportedly escalated physically, with Lorenzo being tased before he was arrested, per Atlanta Black Star.

Iquan’s mother, Kim Saddlers, was carrying her three-month-old grandchild when she tripped over furniture by the doorway before K-9 Nox attacked her, biting her arm. Officers allegedly failed to command K-9 Nox to release her, resulting in Saddlers sustaining a 10-inch wound on her arm and needing 30 stitches that caused an allergic reaction. She was later arrested on a battery on a police officer charge.

Iquan and his brother, Kevonte, attempted to remove the officer from their father during the scuffle. Both were arrested on charges of interfering with a police K-9 and battery on a law enforcement officer. Kevonte and Lorenzo were also accused of maliciously striking a police K-9 when they tried to help Saddlers.

Family’s lawsuit ends with $125,000 settlement

According to Polk County records, Saddlers’ charge was dismissed in 2021, while the three men were put on probation and received jail sentences after being found guilty of their charges. Saddlers later filed a civil rights lawsuit in 2022 against Blommel, Landry, and the City of Lakeland on the grounds of excessive force, negligence, and false arrest.

Saddlers’ excessive force claim against Blommel was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell in 2025, as he was not the K-9’s handler. Her other claims, however, pushed through.

Six years after the family’s arrest during a suspect search they were unrelated to, the City of Lakeland agreed to a settlement with the family, granting Saddlers $125,000 on Sept. 28. “Ms. Saddlers was bitten at her apartment complex by a police K-9 in March 2019 while officers were searching for a suspect in an unrelated crime,” attorney Palmer Davis said. “The settlement resolves all claims against each defendant.”

Meanwhile, Landry was dismissed following a DUI in 2019, while Blommel resigned in 2021 in good standing. K-9 Nox retired in late 2019 and passed away in 2025. It remains unclear whether the suspect the officers were attempting to arrest was apprehended following the incident.

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