An Izard County woman is facing multiple charges including intimidating a witness after an incident Aug. 15 in Izard County when deputies were dispatched to a residence on Boyle Road in Pineville.
While on the way to the home, a deputy noticed a vehicle sitting at an intersection near the address of the call with a female inside. The deputy stopped to speak with a woman who had red marks around her neck.
The woman stated she and 66-year-old Janice Elumbaugh had gotten into an argument over an electronic cigarette that was missing and during the argument, stated Elumbaugh walked toward her, shoved her and then began choking her.
She told the deputy when Elumbaugh had stopped choking her after she’d elbowed the woman and was released but was still being struck whill trying to walk away.
Shortly after, an ambulance arrived on scene and transported the victim to a local medical faculty for care.
The deputy then traveled to the residence and attempted to make contact with Elumbaugh but were unsuccessful and left the residence.
Soon after the sheriff’s office was contacted by a third-party that stated a second victim, a 15-year-old girl was in the residence but was not being allowed to leave and was forced to be quiet while deputies were trying to initiate contact.
When deputies returned to the home, the second victim exited the residence and a short time later Elumbaugh was taken into custody.
The second victim stated Elumbaugh and the first victim had gotten into a fight with Elumbaugh grabbing the first victim by the throat and dragging her from the residence. Once the first victim had left, Elumbaugh then locked the second victim in her room and watched her.
The second victim stated she was able to text a friend for help and when Elumbaugh went to check the cameras, she was able to open the door and escape.
On Aug. 16, an investigator was able to review the messages between the second victim and the friend who had contacted authorities detailing the incidents which had occurred leading to the assault and the arrests.
A post-Miranda interview was conducted with Elumbaugh at the Izard County Sheriff’s Department during which Elumbaugh confessed to pushing the first victim and placing her hands on the shoulder area as well as placing her arm around the throat in a head lock.
She denied threatening the second victim or holding her against her will but insisted after the altercation, those remaining in the home went to their respective bedrooms and went to sleep.
As a result, Elumbaugh has been charged with intimidating a witness, a class B felony; aggravated assault on a family or household member, a class D felony; endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor and fals imprisonment, a class A misdemeanor.
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