A trip to the hospital for abdominal pain turned into a domestic violence investigation after a pregnant woman told deputies she had been attacked and threatened inside the home.
Lawrence County deputies were dispatched for a welfare check involving a 17-month-old child and possible domestic violence, according to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
When officers arrived at the hospital, security staff said a man and his father had already been escorted out because of aggressive behavior and yelling.
The woman told deputies she had been asleep when the man came into the room screaming, climbed on top of her, and put his hands around her neck.
According to the report, she said he accused her of speaking with family members he did not want her contacting. She stated he refused to return her phone and wallet and prevented her from speaking with others.
She also told deputies that when she tried to get help, she was pushed back onto the bed.
The woman, who is pregnant with her second child, said the man then made threats involving her young son, causing her to fear for the child’s safety.
She told deputies she claimed to be having stomach pain because she was afraid of what might happen next and wanted a reason to get out of the home and seek help.
The man’s father later told deputies he was awakened and informed she needed to go to the hospital, so he drove them there. He said he only learned of the allegations after arriving.
The suspect gave deputies a different version of events, claiming the dispute centered around her phone and messages he had found.
Following the investigation, deputies placed the man under arrest and transported him to jail.
Why Cases Like This Matter
Domestic violence often includes more than physical violence.
It can also involve:
- Taking phones or wallets
- Isolating someone from family
- Threats against children
- Controlling who someone can talk to
- Using fear to keep a person trapped
Many victims look for safe ways to leave or get help. Sometimes even a hospital visit becomes the only chance.
In this case, what looked like a medical trip became an opportunity to speak safely — and led to an arrest.