A local woman was arrested on felony and misdemeanor battery charges late Saturday after allegedly assaulting her 10-year-old son and her child's father.
Rae Lynn St. Claire, 44, of 229 Garden St., was taken into custody at her residence shortly before midnight and charged with second-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and third-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to one year in jail.
St. Claire was being held on bonds totaling $5,000 and was set to appear Monday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly before 11 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer Cash Murray responded to the Garden Street residence regarding a disturbance and spoke to two juveniles who stated their parents, including their mother, identified as St. Claire, had been arguing for several hours and it eventually turned physical.
They both characterized St. Claire as the aggressor, noting she put their father into a headlock, threatened him with a knife and then threw a knife at him.
They said she then "turned her attention" to her son, 10, grabbing him by the back of the head, throwing him to the ground, and then grabbing him up by his arm.
Murray spoke to the children's father, who reportedly confirmed their story, the affidavit states. He had two cuts to the top of his head that were bleeding. The juvenile reportedly had a small cut behind his left ear from being thrown to the ground.
After a brief search of the residence, officers located St. Claire hiding in a closet and took her into custody.
Under Arkansas law, if the victim of an alleged battery is under the age of 12 or over the age of 60 the charge is a felony.
According to court records, on May 11, 2019, St. Claire was arrested for third-degree domestic battery involving the same adult victim. The charge was withdrawn on Aug. 15 after the alleged victim failed to appear for two scheduled hearings in district court.
Local on 10/29/2019