A tense New Year's Eve custody dispute in Baltimore escalated into a public disagreement with police, centering around the words of Maryland Delegate Caylin Young. Initial reports claimed Young asserted he was “on top” of the law, a statement that ignited controversy and accusations of arrogance.
Bodycam footage reveals the encounter began after officers responded to a call from the mother of Young’s two-year-old child. She alleged Young refused to return the child following a phone conversation and had previously damaged her doorbell during an “emotional outburst.” The mother shared video evidence of the doorbell incident with the responding officers.
The situation quickly became fraught with tension as Young attempted to explain his adherence to the court-ordered custody schedule. He maintained he was at the designated location at the agreed-upon time, believing the police presence was unnecessary and stemming from a misunderstanding.
The exchange grew increasingly heated, prompting an officer to instruct Young to turn off his running vehicle with the child still inside. The officer’s concern for the child’s safety underscored the escalating nature of the situation.
During the confrontation, the child’s mother informed the officers of Young’s previous role as director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights under Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, and his current position as a state delegate. This information appeared to influence the officers’ perception of Young’s demeanor.
Officers relayed to the mother that Young’s tone suggested a belief he was above the law. Young vehemently denied this, stating, “I have followed the law. I’m not above the law.” He then added, a phrase that would become the center of the controversy, “I don’t think I’m above the law. I’m on top.”
Young has since disputed the accuracy of the reported quote, claiming he actually said, “I’m not above the law, I’m on time.” He insists his statement was a factual defense, emphasizing his compliance with the custody schedule and the agreed-upon exchange time.
He strongly condemned what he calls a deliberate misrepresentation of his words, arguing that altering “I am on time” to “I’m on top” stripped the statement of crucial context and falsely portrayed him as arrogant. Young is demanding a retraction and apology from the news outlets reporting the inaccurate quote.
Adding to the complexity, less than 24 hours after the custody dispute, Young faced a separate allegation of assault, accused of punching a woman. However, charges in that case were subsequently dropped, leaving another layer of scrutiny surrounding the delegate’s actions.
The incident has sparked debate about the intersection of public office, personal disputes, and the potential for misinterpretation in emotionally charged situations. The core of the matter rests on the precise wording used during a tense exchange, and the implications of those words in the public sphere.
