Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Eaton Man Arrested for Strangulation and Battery Charges After Allegedly Falling While Taking Down Christmas Lights

EATON, Ind. – An Eaton man who claimed to have busted his lip open after falling while taking down Christmas lights was arrested on charges of strangulation and battery.

The incident occurred on January 3rd around 1 p.m. when Eaton police officers were called to the 2800 block of East County Road and 800 North for a domestic incident. Emergency medical services were initially called for reports of a fall.

Upon arriving at the scene, an officer witnessed Neal Smith walking away from the location on C.R. 175 East. Smith informed the police that he had fallen while taking down Christmas lights and had injured his lip.

Upon entering Smith’s home, officers noticed spots of blood on a woman’s shirt, later identified as Smith’s girlfriend. During a subsequent interview, the woman revealed that she and Smith had gotten into an argument, and she had asked him to leave, which he did.

Court documents indicated that police also observed a spot of blood in front of the television and a red, swollen mark on the left side of the woman’s neck. The woman claimed that during the argument, Smith had grabbed her by the throat and started to squeeze. In self-defense, she grabbed a nearby wooden cane and swung it at Smith, hitting him in the mouth and causing him to release her.

Smith then left the house, claiming to be calling 911, according to court documents. The woman also mentioned that Smith accidentally struck her in the jaw during the altercation, causing her pain.

During the incident, Smith’s two children, aged 1 and 3, were inside the home. As a result, Smith was preliminarily charged with strangulation, a Level 6 felony; domestic battery with a child present, a Level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor.

No initial hearing has been scheduled in this case.

For more information on this story, please visit Fox59.

.

-------------- -------------