A 20-year-old Chipley man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after a pregnant woman accused him of kicking her in the stomach.
On Saturday, May 27, MCSO deputies responded to a local residence in reference to a physical disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the female victim who advised that the incident had occurred shortly after Kalen Lawrence Washington entered her home, according to the arrest report.
Once inside the residence, the victim advised that Washington snatched her cellphone. When she confronted him about taking the phone, she stated that Washington pushed her onto the ground and “kicked her hard in the stomach,” according to the MCSO report.
A deputy noted in the report that there was “fresh bruising” on the victim’s upper right arm. The report also indicated that Washington was aware of the victim’s pregnancy.
The deputy made contact with a child who was in the residence at the time of the incident, and the child corroborated the victim’s statement, according to the MCSO report.
After speaking with the victim and juvenile witness, the deputy made contact with Washington over the phone. The deputy noted that Washington denied the victim’s allegations, and he told the deputy to “meet him” at a local BP gas station.
The deputy responded to the gas station and was unable to locate Washington. The MCSO report stated that several deputies attempted to call Washington, but he was not answering his cellphone.
On Tuesday, May 30, Washington was located, arrested, and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing a felony charge for aggravated battery on a pregnant person.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.