July 8, 2008

Mom And Children Assaulted By Drunken Boyfriend

   Law enforcement officials were summoned to intervene in the late hours of Independence Day when a man allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and her two children inside their Iron City home.

   According to reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department the incident was reported around 9:30 p.m. Friday at a home on Iron City Road.

   When they arrived at the scene, deputies report that deputies, as well as officers with the St. Joseph Police Department, had already taken the suspect into custody.

   Witnesses reported that the suspect, Ronnie Harville Bates, age 41, had become involved in an argument with his girlfriend, age 36. During the argument he allegedly pushed the girlfriend to the ground, injuring her ankle. When her children attempted to intervene, Bates allegedly threw the daughter, age 16, over a chair, busting her lip. The son, age 12, was thrown to the ground and choked. Deputies report the boy had marks on his chest, neck and shoulders inflicted during the attack.

   At that point, witnesses reported that the daughter’s boyfriend, age 16, approached Bates and the two began to argue. Bates allegedly threw the teen to the ground, as well.

   Those present reported that Bates had been drinking beer and smoking marijuana prior to the assault. Deputies reported finding a set of forceps with a marijuana roach lying in an ashtray in a bedroom. Also seized were two packs of rolling papers, a grinder bearing marijuana residue, three pill bottles bearing marijuana residue, and a plastic bag that contained approximately two grams of marijuana seeds.

   Deputies indicate that Bates claimed all the contraband. He was subsequently charged with the crimes of simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault, and three counts of domestic assault. He was transported to the Lawrence County Jail without further incident.

   Bates is slated to answer the charges through Lawrence County General Sessions Court on July 21, 2008.

 

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