An Ocala woman was arrested on a domestic battery charge despite her claim that the victim was the aggressor in the incident.
Melissa Rae Bender, 40, told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy that she discovered the victim was cheating on her. She said she woke him up that morning and told him to pack his belongings and leave their residence, according to the sheriff’s office report.
Bender said the victim yelled at her and threw a fan across the room, causing it to break. She said he got up and punched a TV in the bedroom, causing it to hit the wall and break. Bender said the victim started throwing items all over the house, nearly striking his own children, who were in the kitchen, the report said.
Bender said a juvenile got between her and the victim, and the victim pushed the juvenile while he was coming towards the victim. Bender said the victim told the juvenile to call 911, and when Bender said, “No, I’ll call 911,” he took her phone and threw it across the room. She said she gathered up the children and left the location, according to the report.
The deputy met up with the victim in Summerfield and asked him what happened. The victim said he was in bed, asleep, when Bender started punching him in the face. He said she continued to physically attack him while he was getting dressed and trying to leave the house. The victim said Bender took the kids and left the location, the report said.
The victim said he did break the items inside the house but denied taking Bender’s cell phone while she was trying to call 911. The victim had substantial scratches on his face that appeared to be fresh, as well as bruising on his left temple that appeared to be swelling up, according to the report.
The deputy responded back to the incident location and read Bender her Miranda warning. She said the information she provided the first time was correct and nothing else happened, the report said.
Bender was placed under arrest and charged with simple domestic battery. She was taken to the Marion County Jail, where she was released on $250 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Jan. 6.