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Caught on Camera: Cleveland Heights Mayor’s Wife Accused of Entering Resident Home Without Permission

Updated: Jul 31

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren’s wife, Natalie McDaniel, was reportedly detained Wednesday after being caught on video entering a Coventry Road residence without permission and filming inside the home, according to exclusive video and accounts reviewed by Cleveland 13 News.


A neighbor told Cleveland 13 that McDaniel crossed the street after spotting an “Recall Seren" sign in the front yard. Video from a Ring camera shows her entering the closed front door without knocking and walking through the home while taking photos and video on her phone.


“She walked through the house taking pictures and video,” said a source close to the homeowner, who noted the resident was alerted by the Ring app and immediately rushed home, calling police. He encountered McDaniel outside the home and remained with her until officers arrived.


Once on scene, police reportedly detained McDaniel and questioned her about her presence. According to the source, McDaniel claimed she was searching for a flooring contractor, though the only visible workers were roofers on the back side of the house, out of view from the street.


“She errored by saying she was looking for a flooring contractor. On the ROOF??” the source added.


Cleveland Heights police reportedly confiscated McDaniel’s phone. Due to the nature of the incident and McDaniel’s political ties, Cleveland Heights officers contacted Shaker Heights police to handle the investigation. However, Shaker Heights declined involvement. As of now, the case remains with Cleveland Heights police, who are awaiting guidance from the city prosecutor.


This latest episode comes amid growing controversy over McDaniel’s behavior. A prior investigation revealed multiple disruptions at City Hall, including reports of shouting, profanity, and inappropriate conduct, leading to recommendations that she stop visiting city offices. In a separate matter, a former mayoral aide filed a civil rights complaint accusing McDaniel of antisemitic and homophobic remarks.


That complaint, coupled with leaked footage of previous outbursts, led to a political backlash and a vote of no confidence by Cleveland Heights City Council earlier this summer.


Whether McDaniel will face criminal charges for the Coventry Road incident remains to be seen.


“This is not a workplace incident — this was someone entering a home,” a local community advocate told Cleveland 13 News.


According to other local media, Cleveland Heights released the following statement regarding the incident:

Mayor Seren’s wife is a private citizen with no formal role in City government. The decision by the homeowner to follow her and call the police does not change the facts of the situation, nor does it justify the weaponization of police, and the spread of false claims designed to damage reputations and sow political division. The mischaracterization of this brief and uneventful situation is both irresponsible and harmful. It reflects a troubling pattern of politically motivated personal attacks. These tactics have no place in civic discourse and serve only to distract from the issues that truly affect our residents. The City of Cleveland Heights condemns the use of misinformation and the targeting of individuals for political gain. We urge the public and media to verify facts and avoid contributing to the spread of baseless narratives.

Cleveland 13 has reached out to the Cleveland Heights Police Department and is awaiting any additional information.


UPDATE: Mayor Responds to Allegations, But Footage Tells a Different Story:

LIVE VIDEO OF 7/31 PRESS CONFERENCE; MAYOR SEREN ADDRESSES ALLEGATIONS

UPDATED 12:35pm 7/31/2025 - Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren held a press conference Friday morning to address the now widely circulated Ring camera footage showing his wife, Natalie McDaniel, entering a Coventry Road home without permission.

During the press conference, Mayor Seren repeatedly defended McDaniel, calling the incident “a non-event” and claiming she had knocked on the door, which then “began to swing open because it wasn’t latched.” He added that she “called out,” then “closed the door and walked away,” describing the entire sequence as harmless.


However, Cleveland 13 News has obtained and released a clip from the Ring video, and the footage does not support the mayor’s version of events. The video shows McDaniel walking up to the front door with her arm already extended toward the handle, which she grasps and pushes open; without knocking or pausing to listen for anyone inside. She then walks into the home with her phone out.


Despite what the footage clearly shows, Mayor Seren insisted 15 times during the press conference that his wife knocked. That appears nowhere in the video evidence, which shows no knocking or verbal announcements before entry.


Mayor Seren has not yet acknowledged the release of the Ring video, which was made public by Cleveland 13 News earlier this week.


He also criticized Cleveland Heights Police for detaining McDaniel for two hours and seizing her phone, stating he believes there is “a cultural problem” both in the department and in parts of the community. The mayor claimed the police later recused themselves due to a conflict of interest, though no outside agency has yet been assigned to the investigation.


As of now, no criminal charges have been filed in the case. Cleveland Heights Police have not yet issued a public comment.


📹 Watch the full Ring camera video and read our original report above

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At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up‑to‑date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community‑driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.


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