MINGO COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) —A man is facing multiple charges after an alleged domestic violence incident involving his former girlfriend. According to the authorities, the suspect, Mark Stephen Whitt, entered the residence, where he became irate over the recent end of their relationship.
While inside the home, the defendant reportedly threatened the woman with bodily harm when she asked him to leave. He then damaged property, including breaking a security camera from the rear door. The situation escalated when the suspect struck her on the back of the head, leaving a visible injury, and assaulted her with AAA batteries, which broke two of her teeth and caused facial disfigurement.
The violence continued as the suspect forcibly carried her into the residence against her will and prevented her from leaving. In an effort to defend herself, she attempted to grab a hammer from a table. The defendant allegedly wrested it from her and used it to destroy a nearby table. He then confiscated her phone, denying her the ability to call emergency services.
For approximately two hours, the victim was reportedly held against her will. During this time, the defendant allegedly threw the victim to the ground to stop her from escaping. The victim eventually managed to flee barefoot and ran along U.S. Route 52, screaming for help.
A male passerby heard her cries and intervened. As the man approached, the suspect released the victim and left the scene after her family arrived.
Law enforcement responded to the scene, took a statement from the victim, and issued a “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) alert for the suspect. Further investigation revealed the defendant had a prior domestic battery conviction from December 2017, following an earlier incident in March of that year. This history escalates the current allegations to a second-offense domestic battery charge.
Whitt is charged with kidnapping, domestic assault, domestic battery, and malicious assault. He is still in jail.
