A local man was arrested Friday on a felony battery charge after allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend and refusing to allow her to leave.
Dennis Lee Britain, 20, of 315 Convention Blvd., was taken into custody at his residence shortly after 11:30 a.m. and charged with second-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to six years in prison.
Britain, who lists no prior criminal history, remained in custody over the weekend in lieu of a $10,000 bond and was set to appear Monday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police Officer Mikki Yamauchi responded to Britain's apartment regarding a disturbance and Britain answered the door, crying and stating he did not want to go to jail.
Yamauchi had Britain sit outside the apartment while she went in and made contact with the alleged victim, who was in the rear bedroom with her two young children. She stated she and Britain are in a relationship and had been arguing prior to the officer's arrival.
She stated at one point Britain "wrapped his arms around her" and she backhanded him across the face to make him let go. She told Britain she was going leave because "she was tired of the ongoing abuse" and he allegedly told her she "wasn't going anywhere."
She said she called police because he wouldn't let her leave and when he saw her on the phone he struck her on the left side of her head. Yamauchi noted the victim had a red face, scratches on the back of her left shoulder and a swollen right hand. Britain was observed to have scratches on his face and neck.
The affidavit notes the children were not involved in the incident and "did not appear to have any injuries."
LifeNet responded to check the victim and she stated she was about 2 months pregnant and Britain was aware of it. After he was taken into custody, Britain reportedly confirmed he knew the victim was pregnant. He claimed he had attempted to hug the victim "to calm her down during the argument because she had been upset."
Local on 04/07/2020