Man Found Guilty After He Held Family Hostage

After following a family into their home and brandishing a replica gun, Kenneth McIsaac held them captive for over five hours before a father’s actions saved his family from the traumatizing Lafayette home invasion that now has the perpetrator facing possible life in prison.

Key Insights

Kenneth McIsaac, 34, was convicted of multiple felonies including kidnapping, robbery, and child abuse following a terrifying September 2022 home invasion in Lafayette.
The perpetrator bound a family of four with duct tape, held them at knife and gunpoint, and threatened to kill the parents in front of their children during a five-hour ordeal.
Despite being placed in a mental health diversion program in 2023, McIsaac fled treatment and was later apprehended to face trial.
The jury found McIsaac guilty on 13 charges with weapons enhancements, and he now faces a potential life sentence at his June 6 hearing.

Terrifying Home Invasion Unfolds in Bay Area Community

On September 24, 2022, what began as an ordinary day for a Lafayette family quickly descended into terror when Kenneth McIsaac, a 34-year-old resident of their apartment complex, followed a mother and her children into their home. Armed with what appeared to be a firearm but was later identified as a replica, McIsaac announced a robbery and forced the family to sit on the floor. The situation escalated when he retrieved kitchen knives from their home and made the mother bind her family members with duct tape, holding them captive for more than five hours.

Father’s Actions Lead to Family’s Escape

During the lengthy ordeal, McIsaac repeatedly threatened to kill the parents in front of their children, creating a traumatic situation for the entire family. The harrowing situation finally ended when the husband managed to free himself from his restraints and successfully subdued McIsaac. This action allowed the family to escape their home and seek help from neighbors. Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene, taking McIsaac into custody and beginning the legal process that would ultimately result in his conviction.

Man faces life in prison for holding family hostage during Bay Area home invasion https://t.co/RJ7gvutWfe

— SFGATE (@SFGate) March 30, 2025

Mental Health and Guilty Verdict

Following his arrest, McIsaac was referred to Mental Health Court for diversion. In August 2023, he was placed in a mental health treatment program, suggesting that officials recognized potential psychiatric factors in his case. However, this attempt at addressing any underlying mental health issues was cut short when McIsaac fled the treatment facility in October 2023. His escape was temporary, as authorities apprehended him on November 14, after which he remained in custody awaiting trial.

After hearing the evidence, jurors delivered a guilty verdict, convicting McIsaac of multiple serious felonies. The charges included two counts of kidnap to commit robbery, two counts of kidnapping for ransom, multiple counts of first-degree residential robbery, felony child abuse, false imprisonment, and criminal threats. The jury also upheld sentence enhancements for the use of a deadly weapon in 12 of the 13 charges, significantly increasing the potential punishment McIsaac faces.

Sentencing and Potential Life Imprisonment

McIsaac now awaits sentencing, scheduled for June 6 by Judge Mary Ann O’Malley in Martinez. Given the severity and number of convictions, he faces the possibility of life imprisonment. District Attorney Diana Becton emphasized the significance of the verdict, stating that it both holds McIsaac accountable for the trauma inflicted on the family and sends a clear message that Contra Costa County takes a firm stance against violent crimes targeting families in their own homes.