An Izard County man is in custody after authorities responded to a call in Wideman after receiving a call for help regarding a domestic disturbance in progress shortly after midnight July 23.
When authorities arrived on scene, they found the victim hiding in the attic of the house but were initially unable to locate 37-year-old Gregory Ward.
In speaking with the victim’s guardian, it was determined, after paperwork was presented, the victim had been adjudicated as an incapacitated person by the courts.
The guardian stated she had received a call from the victim stating Ward had become physically abusive and stated he was going to kill the victim.
The guardian instructed the victim to go to a nearby home, hide and call 911.
When speaking with the victim, authorities photographed several injuries including swelling to the victim’s forehead, face, neck and leg.
The victim stated Ward had landed several blows and had also strangled the victim.
The following day, Investigator Sean Tomlinson spoke with the victim regarding the incident who said on the night of the incident, Ward began accusing the victim of being attracted to one of his friends.
He then became violent and striking the victim with both open and closed hands before attempting to strangle the victim.
Ward had also placed the victim in what is known as a rear naked choke while threatening to kill the victim.
The victim was able to temporarily calm Ward down by stating there was no interest in his friends. Ward became angry again and stated he was leaving, at which time the victim ran from the home and arrived at the nearby home, able to hide and call for help.
As a result, Ward has been charged with abuse of an endangered or impaired person, a class B felony; one count of aggravated assault of a family or household member, a class D felony and domestic battering in the third degree.
Bond for Ward was set at $50,000.
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