MITCHELL – A Mitchell man was arrested Saturday after Mitchell Police officers responded to a report of a domestic battery at 10:40 p.m. in the 500 block of Marion Street.
When officers arrived, they spoke with a female. The female reported her sister had been hit by 40-year-old Stephen Stanley and that Stanely left after the incident.
When police entered the home they found numerous spots of blood and a few small puddles of blood on the dining room and kitchen floor. There was broken glass from a thick glass picture frame on the dining room floor.
Police say three small children were standing in the kitchen along with another adult male and the injured female who was holding a blood-soaked towel on her head.
The woman had multiple wounds to her head, face, and neck area. An officer requested an ambulance to the scene.
The injured woman told police she, Stanley, and their male friend were sitting at the table in the dining room and having a few drinks. Stanley at some point in the conversation was angered.
During the argument, Stanley allegedly grabbed the couple’s wedding photo and asked her why she didn’t love him as she did when the picture was taken. The woman told police Stanley hit her in the head with the picture frame. Police said it caused a deep wound to the right side of her head as well as lacerations on her forehead and neck. There was also a puncture wound on the woman’s back from a shard of glass.
While speaking to the injured woman, Stanley entered the back door of the house. He was detained. However, he would not comply and as the officer went to secure Stanley in handcuffs he allegedly pulled away. An officer was able to secure control of Stanley’s left arm and Stanley was told again to place his hands behind his back and to stop resisting. But Stanley allegedly pulled away from the officers. After failing to obey officers’ commands, Stanley was forced to the ground, handcuffed, and escorted to a police car.
The male friend told police, they were all sitting at the dining room table when “suddenly Stanley got angry”. He said the female and Stanley began to argue and exited the room into the kitchen. That is when the male witnessed Stanley allegedly strike the woman in the head. He couldn’t remember how many times Stanley had struck the woman or if Stanley had anything in his hands when he struck her. After being injured the woman went into the bathroom and Stanley left the residence.
The sister of the victim was contacted by the male friend after the incident. She called 911 while en route to check on her sister and the kids.
When EMS was finished attending to the injured female they were requested to look at Stanley. They found a small laceration behind his left ear and he would need stitches. Stanley was transported by police to IU Health Bedford Hospital for treatment.
The injured female was transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.
The children at the home told police they heard the argument. One of the children said when the argument ended he had come out of his room and saw blood all over the floor and the bathroom sink. One of the children said they saw Stanley allegedly with the picture frame and got scared so they ran into their bedroom.
After being treated at the hospital, Stanley was arrested on charges of resisting law enforcement, domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, and domestic battery in the presence of a minor under the age of 16.
If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic violence situation and needs help, call Hoosier Hills PACT 24-hour crisis line at 1-888-883-1959 or visit their website at https://www.pactchangeslives.com/.
The agency can provide emergency assistance with shelter to those in domestic violence situations. Hoosier Hills Pact also provides assistance with court advocacy, protective orders, education, outreach programs, support groups, and more.
