Garland County sheriff's deputies investigated two separate incidents involving assaults on pregnant women over the weekend, both resulting in felony arrests.
One woman was allegedly kicked in the stomach and prevented from calling 911 by her live-in boyfriend, while the other woman was allegedly punched in the face by her husband as she drove them home.
Bobby Joe Ashley, 30, who lists an Airport Road address, was arrested around 11:30 a.m. Saturday and charged with one felony count of battery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and a misdemeanor charge of third-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to one year in jail.
He remained in custody Monday on zero bond and is set to appear in Garland County District Court on July 31.
According to the affidavit, Garland County sheriff's Deputy Roy Elliott was responding to a disturbance in progress in the 5100 block of Airport Road on Saturday when the dispatcher told him that Ashley and his mother, 47, both suspects in the alleged disturbance, had left the residence in a white Chevrolet Malibu. He saw a vehicle fitting that description turn southbound onto South Moore Road, so he turned his unit around and conducted a traffic stop.
The 25-year-old victim, identified as Ashley's girlfriend, stated she wished to press charges against both of them.
She told Deputy Scott Hinojosa that she was arguing with Ashley, who she has dated for the last seven months, at their home around 6 p.m. Friday when he kicked her in the stomach and prevented her from using her phone to call for help. She said she is seven months pregnant.
While the girlfriend was attempting to call 911, Ashley's mother was allegedly pulling on one of her arms, trying to get the cellphone from her, while Ashley was pulling on the other arm. Once the victim was able to call 911, Ashley and his mother fled the scene.
In the second, unrelated incident, a local man was arrested Sunday after he allegedly punched his pregnant wife as she drove them home.
Kevin Tanner Chamberlain, 28, who lists a Rushfork Road address, was taken into custody at his residence around 3 p.m. and charged with a felony count of domestic battery, punishable by up to six years on prison. He remained in custody Monday on zero bond and is set to appear in Garland County District Court on July 31.
According to the affidavit, shortly before 2:30 p.m., Garland County sheriff's Deputy Stacy Morgan responded to a reported domestic disturbance at the residence and made contact with Chamberlain, who was sitting on the front porch. His wife, 23, was sitting with her 10-month-old daughter in a blue vehicle in the driveway.
Chamberlain told the deputy he and his wife got into an argument while she was driving them home after visiting friends, reportedly because Chamberlain, who had been drinking, wanted to drive.
Chamberlain said his wife hit him, prompting him to break out the passenger-side window. When she hit him a second time, he allegedly punched her in the face, injuring her lip.
LifeNet transported Chamberlain's wife and daughter to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs.
While en route to the detention center, Chamberlain reportedly stated his wife was about three months pregnant. He was charged with a felony count because he said he knew his wife was pregnant when he allegedly hit her.
Local on 07/25/2017