MERCER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Mercer County man is behind bars after deputies say a woman escaped an alleged hours-long domestic assault and fled to a local hospital seeking help.
According to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to Princeton Community Hospital during the early morning hours of Aug. 2 after receiving a report of a domestic violence victim seeking treatment.
When deputies arrived, they met with the victim, who had visible injuries including a black eye, bruising to the left side of her face, a bruised nose, scratches on both arms, and abrasions to her forehead. Deputies said she appeared frightened and repeatedly expressed fear during the interview.
According to investigators, the victim told deputies she and her boyfriend, Joshua Herald, had been at his grandmother’s home before the two left in a vehicle. While she was driving, Herald allegedly grabbed the steering wheel several times.
The pair later arrived at a residence on Trent Street in the Princeton area, where the victim said Herald grabbed her before punching her in the face, causing her nose to bleed.
The victim told deputies she hid in a bathroom for approximately 30 minutes while Herald allegedly pounded on the door. She eventually let him inside, where she said he forced her to take a shower.
Afterward, the victim said Herald appeared to fake a seizure. When she attempted to call 911, she discovered he had already taken her cellphone. She told investigators Herald then assaulted her again.
According to the report, the victim fled the home but was caught outside, where Herald allegedly kicked her in the face several times before she managed to escape again.
Investigators said the victim told them the only way she was able to get away was by convincing Herald they should leave before his sister returned home. When Herald went to get dressed, she ran to the vehicle and drove herself to Princeton Community Hospital.
During the alleged assault, the victim told deputies Herald repeatedly threatened to kill her, allegedly saying she was “going to die tonight” and that he had been “waiting on this moment.” She told investigators she believed the threats were real.
Hospital staff told deputies the victim ran into the emergency room asking for help. Staff also reported that, several hours earlier, Herald had come to the hospital looking for her but was told to leave by hospital security.
While deputies were interviewing the victim, emergency room staff notified them that a man believed to be Herald had checked himself into the hospital. Deputies identified Herald in the waiting room and arrested him without incident.
Investigators also noted that Mercer County 911 received two emergency calls around 9:36 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. on Aug. 1 reporting a man chasing a woman in the Trent Street area. Deputies said the clothing description provided by callers matched what Herald was wearing when he was arrested.
Herald was transported to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department for processing before being taken to Southern Regional Jail to await arraignment.
He is facing charges in connection with the alleged domestic assault. The investigation remains ongoing.
