A Scioto County child using a 911-only phone — the kind that can call for emergencies but can’t receive return calls — dialed for help in absolute fear, reporting that their mother was being beaten by her ex-boyfriend and “he won’t stop.”
Hear the first of 4 calls the child made to 911
Dispatchers could hear a woman screaming in the background. Deputies rushed to the home and arrested Justin Holcomb, who now faces yet another assault charge in a long, troubling pattern of violence.
Holcomb Arrested — Again
Deputies booked Holcomb into the Scioto County Jail on an assault charge.
He appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court, where he pleaded no contest.
The judge sentenced him to:
- 180 days in jail
- 150 days suspended
- 3 years of probation
Holcomb was briefly released over the weekend to attend a relative’s funeral — but only under strict orders to return to jail by 8 p.m.
Not His First Assault This Fall
Holcomb was also arrested on October 17 for assault, released on his own recognizance, and is scheduled to appear in court for that case on December 15.
Unfortunately, these are just the most recent entries in a lengthy criminal history.
A Long Record of Violence & Crime
Holcomb’s rap sheet includes:
- Burglary
- Multiple counts of theft
- Grand theft
- Driving without a license
- Obstruction of official business
- Domestic violence
He is currently on parole for drug possession and burglary after being released in February 2024 under a three-year community control agreement.
A Terrifying Reminder
This case highlights two critical realities:
- Children often become the first line of defense in violent domestic situations.
This eleven-year-old child’s quick thinking almost certainly prevented the situation from escalating even further.
- Repeat domestic offenders pose elevated risk, especially when they continue to cycle through the system with escalating violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and is afraid to call, remember:
You can call or text
📞 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
💬 Text START to 88788
🖥️ thehotline.org
Domestic violence situations can turn deadly quickly — and no child should ever have to make that kind of phone call.
