A local man and his live-in girlfriend were arrested Sunday night after allegedly assaulting each other and endangering their young daughters who were home at the time.
Justin Wade Duggan, 38, and Shanna Shawndray Burton, 32, both of 493 Walkway Drive, were taken into custody at their residence and each charged with one count of third-degree domestic battery, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
Both remained in custody Tuesday on zero bond and are set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday, Garland County sheriff's Deputies Charles DeLaHunt and Sgt. Greg Kellar responded to the couple's residence regarding a physical disturbance in progress.
Upon arrival, they made contact with the female caller who stated Duggan and Burton were in an altercation inside the residence. The deputies attempted to make contact with the occupants of the residence but were unable to get anyone to come to the door despite knocking several times and identifying themselves, so they left.
Around 7:15 p.m., they were called back to the residence because the couple were reportedly fighting again and the earlier caller noted Duggan had come to her residence, picked up the couple's 9-year-old daughters and took them back to the residence with him.
DeLaHunt, Kellar and Deputy Kevin Hampton approached the residence again and DeLaHunt was finally able to speak to Duggan through a back window and get him to come to the front door "after several minutes of talking."
The affidavit notes Duggan was "highly intoxicated" with a "busted lip" and blood on his left hand. He told the deputies that "my old lady hit me." When asked if he had hit her, he indicated he had backhanded her across the face.
Once inside, the deputies found Burton with "two small juveniles" identified as their 9-year-old twins. It was noted the residence had broken plastic on the floors along with "pill bottles and empty beer cans everywhere" and that both children were "walking around barefoot."
DeLaHunt asked Burton what happened and she reportedly admitted she punched Duggan in the face causing injuries and that he hit her as well.
Department of Human Services investigators responded to the scene and took the two juveniles into protective custody and the Child Abuse Hotline was contacted and a report filed.
A computer check reportedly showed Duggan had warrants out of Pike County so a hold was placed on him.
Local on 02/19/2020