Dad fights off repeat offender accused of creeping toward kids as family slept: ‘Somebody’s in our house’

A Denver family said they lived every parent’s worst nightmare, waking up in the middle of the night to find a stranger walking toward their children’s bedrooms.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kevin and Sarah Root described the terrifying early-morning encounter inside their southwest Denver home. The couple said the break-in happened around 3:30 a.m.

"We heard the footsteps coming up the stairs to where our room is," Kevin recalled. "We looked at each other and said, ‘Somebody’s in our house.’ You realize you’re not dreaming — this is real." ---More...

NEW: Colorado homeowner awakened by intruder walking up stairs toward his four sleeping kids. He subdued the intruder by shoving him down the stairs.

36-year-old Charlie Cooley broke the lock on the front door while the family slept. He nearly reached the top of the stairs… pic.twitter.com/SVUk9O4Ybc

— E X X ➠A L E R T S (@ExxAlerts)November 30, 2025

Colorado homeowner awakened by intruder walking up stairs toward his four sleeping kids. He subdued the intruder by shoving him down the stairs.

36-year-old Charlie Cooley broke the lock on the front door while the family slept. He nearly reached the top of the stairs before the dad charged out and sent him tumbling to the bottom.

Cooley was arrested and charged with felony second-degree burglary. This is his second felony burglary charge in just the last few months.