A domestic disturbance involving a baseball bat sent Scioto County deputies rushing to a West Portsmouth home and ended with a woman in jail and relatives called in to care for children left at the scene.
Deputies were dispatched after reports that a woman armed with a baseball bat had threatened and attacked people during an argument.
According to the caller, family members had managed to take the bat away from her before deputies arrived, but she remained at the residence yelling and arguing.
🚔 DEPUTIES TAKE WOMAN INTO CUSTODY
When deputies arrived, they investigated the disturbance and ultimately took Heather Neace into custody.
Because children were present, one deputy remained at the scene while arrangements were made for a family member to pick them up.
Authorities wanted to ensure the children were safely placed with relatives before clearing the call.
⚖️ CHARGES FILED
Neace was transported to the Scioto County Jail and initially booked in connection with the domestic incident.
She later appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court, where she was charged with domestic violence.
Court records show a domestic violence protection order was also issued.
📅 RELEASED PENDING COURT HEARING
Despite the allegations, Neace was released on her own recognizance following her court appearance.
She is scheduled to return to court on July 14.
👨👩👧👦 WHEN CHILDREN ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE
Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous and unpredictable situations deputies respond to.
When children are present, officers often have additional responsibilities beyond investigating the alleged crime, including ensuring minors are left in a safe environment and coordinating with relatives or child welfare agencies when necessary.
In this case, the dispute ended without reported serious injuries, but not before deputies were called to defuse a confrontation involving a baseball bat, family members, and children caught in the middle.