A Hot Springs man was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend, who is nine months pregnant, and holding her against her will.
Alfred Roland Jenkins Jr., 34, of 707 Cypress St., Apt. 4, was taken into custody at his residence shortly before 9:30 p.m. and charged with a felony count of third-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to six years in prison.
Jenkins was being held on zero bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Hot Springs police responded to the Cypress Street residence after receiving several third-party reports a woman had been beaten and was being held against her will at her residence by her boyfriend, identified as Jenkins.
Upon arrival, officers spoke to the woman's mother who stated she had received a phone call from her daughter's neighbor who said she had seen Jenkins punching the victim outside their residence.
Officers spoke to the neighbor who noted she was concerned for the victim's welfare because she knew she was nine months pregnant and "due any day now" and was complaining of labor pains during the altercation with Jenkins. She said she saw Jenkins shoving and hitting the victim as she continually told him to leave, but he refused.
The altercation moved back inside the apartment, the neighbor said, and the victim's mother said she could see Jenkins through an open bedroom window. Officers attempted contact numerous times, but there was no sound from the apartment. They noted the victim's vehicle was parked out front, "furthering their belief she was inside the apartment."
Dispatchers and the victim's mother attempted numerous times to call the victim and Jenkins, but no one answered. Finally, the mother received a text from Jenkins stating the victim was at the hospital, but police checked both local hospitals and she was not reportedly at either of them.
Officers finally obtained a key from the Hot Springs Housing Authority officer and opened the door. Once inside, they located Jenkins and removed him from the residence. At that point, the victim emerged and officers noted she was "visibly shaken and injured" with bruised and swollen eyes, "disheveled hair" and complaining of cramps.
The victim said while officers were outside attempting to make contact, Jenkins was inside "hushing her" and not allowing her to open the door. She said Jenkins was angry and accusing her of cheating. She said he had punched her numerous times throughout the day and shoved her to the ground at least five times.
The affidavit notes there were five young children inside the residence during the incident.
After his arrest, Jenkins allegedly admitted to the incident and told police he "wasn't in his right mind" at the time and was "on drugs" while it was happening. He said he believed the victim was cheating on him and it caused him to become "emotionally unstable" which culminated with him pushing and hitting her multiple times.
Local on 02/15/2019