A Centralia woman, Stacey R. Radcliff, was taken into custody on Thursday after authorities said she brandished a shotgun while confronting a group of children playing soccer on a nearby grass field.
According to the local sheriff's office, Radcliff emerged from her trailer, shouted profanities and threatened the youngsters, before hurling a large, pink‑painted rock that struck a car window and shattered a soccer goal. Witnesses reported that the children scattered as Radcliff pointed the weapon at them.
Deputies executing a search warrant later recovered a shotgun and a supply of shells from inside the trailer, confirming the presence of a short‑barreled firearm that matched the description given by the victims.
During her arraignment, a judge set bail at $100,000 cash or bond and imposed a travel restriction that bars Radcliff from using Ives Road, forcing her to take an alternate route to reach her home. The court also ordered her to obtain a court‑approved alcohol monitoring device within 24 hours of release.
Legal Outlook and Community Response
Prosecutors have painted a picture of a long‑standing pattern of intoxicated behavior and threats directed at neighborhood children, citing prior incidents that have heightened community concern. Radcliff entered a not‑guilty plea and a trial is currently scheduled for September.
The case has drawn attention from local advocacy groups, which are urging stricter enforcement of protective orders and greater resources for families dealing with volatile neighbors. As the September trial approaches, the community remains on edge, awaiting the outcome of a case that has already left a palpable sense of unease in the quiet suburb.