A Clermont man was arrested for battery when an alleged argument with the mother of his kids escalated into multiple injuries and a trashed apartment.
Officers responded to a battery at an undisclosed Lake County apartment around 10:59 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Clermont Police Department. The female victim advised that 32-year-old D L S punched her in the face during a physical altercation.
Upon arrival, the officers knocked on the apartment door, to which S opened the door and came out. Due to notes given to officers by dispatch, he was detained in handcuffs. Two officers stayed with him outside the residence while two others went inside, the report said.
The officers walked up the stairs of the apartment and met with the female victim who had locked herself in her bedroom. She came out and began explaining what happened, the report said.
At about 3 p.m. that day, she and S were in a verbal argument. She left because of the dispute but came back around 8 p.m. to find her kids had not eaten yet. She left again to get food from McDonald’s and returned to the apartment, the report said.
S then became upset with the victim. They started arguing again, and they became agitated at each other. The argument continued into the bedroom where he began saying he was going to leave, the report said.
The victim was in front of the door, and S pushed her aside as he walked through the door. When asked if he shoved or pushed her, she said he gently used his elbow to move her out of the way. After that, she advised that S became aggressive and yelled in her face, the report said.
When he would yell in her face, the victim would push him away. This continued until S punched her in the face and arms with a closed fist. He then began pushing her back, the report said.
One of the officers observed a contusion that appeared to be swollen on the victim’s forehead. On her neck was a small scratch, and a few other scratches were on her arms. The apartment appeared as if a fight had occurred, with multiple pieces of furniture and clothing spread everywhere along the floor, the report said.
When asked further about the mess, the victim said she pulled the TV stand when S was trying to take the TV. She stated multiple times that she did not want him to get in trouble, rather that he just left the residence, the report said.
One of the officers then went back outside to speak with S and read his rights. He confirmed the victim left the residence at 3 p.m. and returned at 8 p.m. He was supposed to go to work at 6 p.m. but had to wait for her to return since he was watching their kids, the report said.
S also corroborated that the victim left again and went to McDonald’s. Once she got back, she asked to talk about their earlier argument. He said he did not want to talk to her at the time and was upset because he had to miss work due to her not returning home, the report said.
S began to pack up his things in the bedroom to prepare to leave, but the victim followed him and started arguing with him. She was standing in the middle of the doorway, and he needed to leave the room. So, he gently pushed her out of the way, the report said.
The victim became furious with S and yelled at him. He went to grab the TV, and she threw down the TV stand. She then threw things at him while continuing to argue, the report said.
S pushed the victim away from him, and she fell over her feet and hit her head on the wall. After doing so, she kept going after him, grabbing his computer monitor and busting his lip with it. She also punched him in the face and headbutted him. The victim proceeded to trash the apartment and threw his chair down the stairs, the report said.
S believed that when the victim returned to the apartment, she was under the influence of alcohol. The officer observed him to have a small laceration on his lip. He did not see any bruising or marks where he said the victim punched and headbutted him. There was a gaming chair laying sideways by the door, though, the report said.
The officer returned inside the residence and began talking with another officer who was just in the room with the victim and S’ four kids. Their oldest son told the officer that he saw S push the victim to the ground. When she tried to stand up, S would push her to the ground again and continued to do so until their son tried to help her, the report said.
The son also mentioned his belief that the victim was not telling the whole truth. After seeing what S did to the victim, he did not like him anymore, the report said.
The victim and S completed sworn written statements declining their intent to prosecute, but their transcriptions of the events did not match. S said he was punched in the face while the victim said she was the one punched. He stated he never punched her but pushed her into a wall where she hit her head, the report said.
S had minor injuries, but the victim appeared to have multiple marks and a contusion on her head. Both stated it became physical when he pushed her to leave the bedroom. After speaking with both parties, the officer decided to only place S under arrest, the report said.
S was charged with battery (domestic) and transported to Lake County Jail. He was released after posting $1,000 bond.
At Ovadia Law Group, we believe that every personal injury victim deserves justice. Our dedicated team of attorneys is here to provide the legal representation you need. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and determine the best course of action. Call us at 1-800-674-9396 to find out how we can help you achieve a favorable outcome and secure the compensation you deserve.
Source: leesburg-news
