Alleged Home Invader Arrested After Attempting to Assault Mother Holding Baby

Judson Defir, a career criminal, broke into a Portland home and assaulted a mother in front of her children, police say.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:07am by Ben Kaplan

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A 43-year-old man named Judson Defir has been arrested and charged with attempted rape, kidnapping, and other offenses after allegedly breaking into a Portland, Oregon home and assaulting a mother while she was holding her 10-month-old baby. Defir is accused of bursting into the home, yelling 'Honey, I'm here,' and then forcing the mother onto a bed in an attempt to sexually assault her in front of her children.

Why it matters

This disturbing home invasion and assault case has shaken the Portland community and raised concerns about repeat offenders and the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable families from such violent crimes.

The details

According to police, Defir first entered a nearby church and groped a woman before fleeing and accosting two other women in the neighborhood. He then allegedly broke into the family's home, rushed upstairs, and pinned the mother to the bed while she was holding her 10-month-old baby. The mother was able to convince Defir to let her place the baby in a crib, at which point she ran out of the room and barricaded herself in another area, screaming for help. Defir then fled the scene, but was later arrested and charged.

  • The incident occurred on March 15, 2026 in the middle of the day.
  • Defir was arrested on the same day as the alleged home invasion.

The players

Judson Defir

A 43-year-old man with a lengthy criminal history, including previous arrests for assault and DUI, who is accused of breaking into a Portland home and attempting to sexually assault a mother while she held her baby.

Portland Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident, arrested Defir, and is continuing to investigate the case.

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What they’re saying

“Our thoughts are with the women who experienced these frightening incidents. We are grateful for their courage in coming forward. I also want to recognize the swift and coordinated response of our patrol officers and detectives, whose quick actions helped apprehend the suspect and bring a sense of safety back to the neighborhood.”

— Bob Day, Portland Police Chief

What’s next

Defir is being held without bail, and additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

The takeaway

This disturbing case highlights the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable families from repeat offenders and the trauma of home invasions and sexual assaults. It also underscores the importance of a swift and coordinated law enforcement response to such incidents.