An Ocala woman was arrested on a battery charge after the victim’s aunt observed her injuries during a video call and called law enforcement.
The victim’s aunt told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy that she was on a video call with the victim early Thursday when she saw marks on the victim’s arm. She said she asked what happened and the victim said she was battered by 42-year-old Meghann Rager. The victim’s aunt said her niece told her to call 911 because she was afraid to do it herself, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The victim told the deputy that she and Rager got into an argument and started calling each other names. She said Rager hit her and scratched her right arm, and then started throwing things at her including clothes hangers, the report said.
The victim said Rager told her to get out of her face and to leave the property. She said she left the residence for a little while to calm things down. The victim said Rager was intoxicated and there is an ongoing issue with her drinking and attacking her. The victim said she didn’t hit Rager at any time, according to the report.
Rager told the deputy that she got into an argument with the victim, who was calling her a “broke bitch.” Rager said she wasn’t going to allow the victim to speak to her that way and that during the argument, the victim got very close to her face. She said the victim pushed her and she pushed back. Rager admitted that she threw clothes hangers at the victim but didn’t hit her, the report said.
The victim’s boyfriend witnessed the incident and said he saw Rager push the victim and throw several items at her, including clothes hangers. The deputy observed multiple scratches on the victim’s right arm consistent with her description of the incident, according to the report.
Rager was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where she was released Friday on her own recognizance. She’s scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Feb. 18.