A local man was arrested Thursday for felony assault and child endangerment after allegedly attacking his live-in girlfriend and putting their children at risk.
Derek Aaron Garner, 31, who lists an Argie Lane address, was taken into custody shortly before 11:30 a.m. and charged with a felony count of aggravated assault on a family or household member, punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Garner was being held on zero bond and was set to appear Friday in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Garland County sheriff's Deputy Candice Presley responded to a residence on Argie Lane regarding a domestic disturbance that had already occurred.
She spoke to a woman, 23, who met her at the front door holding a 6-month-old infant in her arms, and she stated her boyfriend, identified as Garner, had choked her and dragged her across the living room floor into their bedroom.
Presley noted the woman had what appeared to be rug burns on her arms and to the right side of her eye.
She said she and Garner got into an argument and when she tried to leave carrying the infant, Garner "came at her" and made her give the infant to their 5-year-old daughter. Then she alleges Garner grabbed her by the throat and choked her to the point she "almost passed out from not being able to breathe."
Then Garner dragged her to the bedroom and started choking her again, she said.
The victim stated she didn't need to be checked by ambulance personnel.
She told Presley where Garner works at a business on Extrusion Place and Presley went there and took him into custody. She said Garner told her he had been arrested in 2015 for third-degree domestic battery, but the charge was later withdrawn.
According to a petition for an order of protection filed by Garner's girlfriend on Thursday, she states she was in fear for the safety of her and her children from Garner.
She alleges Garner threatened her that if she "called the cops" he would hurt her and make it "worth the call." She said she has been abused over the past year with "having one or two black eyes every other week" in front of the children.
"I want to reach out for help protecting me and my two daughters," she stated.