JAY — A local couple was arrested Tuesday following a confrontation with their landlord and police in which the couple allegedly used their 2-year-old daughter as a human shield.

Sharron Wallace, 30, and Robert McDowell, 31, were each charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a Class D misdemeanor. Wallace was also charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault, harassment, and refusing to submit to arrest or detention. McDowell was additionally charged with obstructing government administration.

Jay and Livermore Falls police responded to a call Tuesday night from Wallace and McDowell’s landlord, who said she was being “harassed, threatened and assaulted” by the couple, according to Jay Police Chief Richard E. Caton IV. The couple had previous disputes with their landlord, Canton said, but none that created “as much of a disturbance as this one.”

When officers arrived at the landlord’s Otis Street home, they found Wallace screaming obscenities at her, Caton said. After speaking with the landlord, the officers attempted to arrest Wallace but McDowell intervened, blocking them several times while Wallace also refused to be arrested.

At one point, McDowell handed Wallace their 2-year old daughter, who Wallace allegedly used as a shield with police, Caton said.

Officers called for backup and Wilton Police, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Maine State Police also responded. The girl, who was uninjured, was later taken from Wallace and is now with a family member, Caton said.

Wallace and McDowell were both arrested and taken to Franklin County Jail in Farmington.

Kate McCormick — 861-9218

kmccormick@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @KateRMcCormick