THE WAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HER SON’S ARREST. THE MOTHER OF THE MAN ACCUSED OF VANDALIZING VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE HOME STEPPED IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS. THANKS FOR JOINING US HERE AT 6:00. I’M SHEREE PAOLELLO, AND I’M MIKE DARDIS. CATHERINE DUFOUR SAYS HER SON IS MENTALLY ILL AND IS ASKING YOU OUT THERE NOW TO SEE THE PERSON BEHIND THE CHARGES. WLWT NEWS FIVE’S CATHERINE JOHNSON ON IT FOR US TODAY. LIVE OUTSIDE THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE WITH MORE. HI, KAREN. YEAH. HEY AGAIN. MIKE. WILLIAM DEFOREST PARENTS STOOD RIGHT HERE AFTER THE FEDERAL COURT ARRAIGNMENT AND ADDRESSED THE MEDIA. THEY DID NOT TAKE ANY QUESTIONS, BUT FOR HIS MOTHER, SHE SPOKE. SHE READ A STATEMENT AND ALSO A PRAYER. THIS IS THE FIRST LOOK AT WILLIAM DEFOOR SINCE HIS ARREST. BOOKED INTO THE HAMILTON COUNTY JAIL HOURS AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF VANDALIZING VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE. CINCINNATI HOME INVESTIGATORS SAY DEFOOR USED A HAMMER TO SMASH 14 GLASS PANELS AND DAMAGE A SECRET SERVICE VEHICLE. WILLIAM DUFOUR. THIS IS HIM TODAY ARRAIGNED ON STATE CHARGES WHICH INCLUDE VANDALISM AND CRIMINAL DAMAGING. I JUST DON’T THINK THERE’S ANYTHING POLITICAL GOING ON HERE, JUDGE. THIS IS PURELY A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. I ASKED DEFENSE ATTORNEY PAUL LAUFMAN TO ELABORATE. WHY THEN JD VANCE HOUSE? I HAVE NO IDEA. COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY BEEN THE BLOWUP DISPLAY AT A CAR LOT. I DON’T KNOW. I MEAN, THERE’S SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. YOU KNOW, IT WAS JD VANCE’S HOUSE. NO IDEA. ALSO SPEAKING AFTER FEDERAL COURT BEFORE HIS MOTHER. MENTAL ILLNESS IS A TERRIBLE THING. IT IS A STRUGGLE WHICH CAN TAKE OVER THE LIFE OF A BEAUTIFUL PERSON AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE AND SUPPORT THEM. CATHERINE DUFOUR DESCRIBED HER SON AS A SCHOLAR, STRAIGHT-A STUDENT IN SCHOOL, WHO RECEIVED A FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY MUSIC. HE LOVES READING. HE LOVES WRITING POETRY. WHEN HEALTHY, HE IS FULL OF JOY AND LAUGHTER. HE IS COMPASSIONATE. FOR ALL THOSE WHO SUFFER, DEVORE’S MOTHER ENDED HER STATEMENT IN PRAYER. ALSO, PLEASE BE WITH THE VANCE FAMILY. I AM ONLY BEGINNING TO LEARN WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO TRY AND RAISE A FAMILY IN THE PUBLIC EYE, AND THEY ARE PUTTING THEMSELVES THERE. TO SUPPORT OUR DEMOCRACY. AND BEFORE HIS BOND WAS SET AT $11,000, THAT’S ON THE CHARGES HE’S FACING IN HAMILTON COUNTY. WHAT HAPPENED IN FEDERAL COURT? A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ARE ASKING HE REMAIN DETAINED WHILE THIS COURT PROCESS PLAYS OUT. SO NOW A DETENTION HEARING WAS
Mother of man accused of vandalizing JD Vance’s home: ‘Mental illness is a terrible thing’:
Updated: 7:22 PM EST Jan 6, 2026
Catherine DeFoor, the mother of William DeFoor, who is accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home, addressed the media for the first time since her son’s arrest, emphasizing his mental health issues.”Mental illness is a terrible thing. It is a struggle which can take over the life of a beautiful person. And the people who love and support them. Unfortunately, for our child, it has taken over his life in a way that we could never have imagined,” Catherine DeFoor said.She spoke to the media following his federal court arraignment, reading a statement and a prayer without taking questions. “Growing up, William was a scholar. He was a straight-A student, got a perfect ACT score, and, received a full college scholarship to study music. He is a beautiful musician who plays many instruments, primarily piano. But our house has always been filled with beautiful music because of him,” Catherine DeFoor said. “He loves reading. He loves writing poetry. When healthy, he is full of joy and laughter. He is compassionate for all those who suffer. And was voted Best Companion, by his church youth group. Even despite his health challenges and his young adult life, He’s been trying to be the best person he can be. Seeking medical care, returning to school and music. Reaching out to connect with family and friends. Unfortunately, however, mental illness is unpredictable or can be unpredictable and has taken another tragic turn.”DeFoor was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center after allegedly using a hammer to smash 14 glass panels at Vance’s Cincinnati home. DeFoor is also accused damaging a Secret Service vehicle.Defense attorney Paul Laufman said, “I just don’t think there’s anything political going on here judge. This is purely a mental health issue.” When asked why J.D. Vance’s house was targeted, Laufman responded, “No idea. Could’ve easily been the blow up display at a car lot. I don’t know. I mean there’s significant mental health issues.” He added, “I have no idea,” when asked if DeFoor knew it was Vance’s house.Catherine DeFoor thanked the Cincinnati Police Department and Secret Service for their professionalism.”Right now, our lives are full of stress and sadness and grief and moving, and we request that people respect our space and privacy moving forward so that we can support each other and process all that has occurred in the past few days,” Catherine DeFoor said.She concluded her statement with a prayer, saying, “And also, please be with the Vance family. I am only beginning to learn what it feels like to try and raise a family in the public eye, and they are putting themselves there to support our democracy. Please be with them and keep them safe and help them feel love and support.”DeFoor faces both state and local charges related to vandalism and criminal damaging. At the state level, a judge set his bond at $11,000. Federal prosecutors asked he remain detained while that court case plays out. A detention hearing is set for Friday afternoon.
CINCINNATI —
Catherine DeFoor, the mother of William DeFoor, who is accused of vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home, addressed the media for the first time since her son’s arrest, emphasizing his mental health issues.
“Mental illness is a terrible thing. It is a struggle which can take over the life of a beautiful person. And the people who love and support them. Unfortunately, for our child, it has taken over his life in a way that we could never have imagined,” Catherine DeFoor said.
She spoke to the media following his federal court arraignment, reading a statement and a prayer without taking questions.
“Growing up, William was a scholar. He was a straight-A student, got a perfect ACT score, and, received a full college scholarship to study music. He is a beautiful musician who plays many instruments, primarily piano. But our house has always been filled with beautiful music because of him,” Catherine DeFoor said. “He loves reading. He loves writing poetry. When healthy, he is full of joy and laughter. He is compassionate for all those who suffer. And was voted Best Companion, by his church youth group. Even despite his health challenges and his young adult life, He’s been trying to be the best person he can be. Seeking medical care, returning to school and music. Reaching out to connect with family and friends. Unfortunately, however, mental illness is unpredictable or can be unpredictable and has taken another tragic turn.”
DeFoor was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center after allegedly using a hammer to smash 14 glass panels at Vance’s Cincinnati home. DeFoor is also accused damaging a Secret Service vehicle.
Defense attorney Paul Laufman said, “I just don’t think there’s anything political going on here judge. This is purely a mental health issue.”
When asked why J.D. Vance’s house was targeted, Laufman responded, “No idea. Could’ve easily been the blow up display at a car lot. I don’t know. I mean there’s significant mental health issues.” He added, “I have no idea,” when asked if DeFoor knew it was Vance’s house.
Catherine DeFoor thanked the Cincinnati Police Department and Secret Service for their professionalism.
“Right now, our lives are full of stress and sadness and grief and moving, and we request that people respect our space and privacy moving forward so that we can support each other and process all that has occurred in the past few days,” Catherine DeFoor said.
She concluded her statement with a prayer, saying, “And also, please be with the Vance family. I am only beginning to learn what it feels like to try and raise a family in the public eye, and they are putting themselves there to support our democracy. Please be with them and keep them safe and help them feel love and support.”
DeFoor faces both state and local charges related to vandalism and criminal damaging. At the state level, a judge set his bond at $11,000. Federal prosecutors asked he remain detained while that court case plays out. A detention hearing is set for Friday afternoon.