HUNTINGTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Huntington man has been arrested after beating a woman and threatening to kill her in front of her five-year-old son.
According to a criminal complaint, on February 19, at approximately 12:32 AM officers responded to a residence in the Smith Dr. area in Huntington in reference to a domestic
violence incident.
As police were responding, they were advised that the defendant, William Trent Spaulding was inside of a white sedan possibly leaving the scene and heading to Ohio. When officers arrived the vehicle was not present in the parking lot next to the residence.
The victim came out of her apartment running toward me visibly afraid. Police observed minor injuries on the victim including red marks on her face, neck and chest and also early bruising around her neck and upper chest.
Police also noticed injuries to her lips and observed blood around her mouth. The victim stated that the defendant became angry and started punching her in the head several times and obstructed her breathing by choking her with both of his hands. She further stated that as the defendant was choking her he was telling her that he was going to kill her by stabbing her to death.
The victim also stated that the defendant would not allow her to leave the bedroom during the 2.5-hour incident. She stated every time she would attempt to walk by him to leave he would punch her and throw her down.
The victim then said she took the window to the bedroom out of the track and was going to lower her son to safety but Spaulding kept attacking her and throwing her to the ground.
The victim stated that Spaulding grabbed her phone and tried to break it but when he was unsuccessful he just placed it in his pocket. The victim stated that Spaulding was upset that she could possibly be pregnant and punched her in the stomach causing minor bleeding from her vagina.
During this incident the victim’s 5-year-old son was present. The victim stated that Spaulding kept telling to the child that “I’m going to kill your mom in front of you.”
Police spoke with the child on scene and asked if he was hurt and he responded by saying that “He tried to bite me”. The child did not have any visible injuries but was visibly upset and afraid. The child was given to the victim’s parents for care.
The victim was then transported to Cabell Huntington Hospital by Cabell County EMS. Police continued their investigation at the hospital with the victim who provided a written statement of events and provided details to complete a Domestic Violence form and Strangulation supplement form.
A statement was also obtained from the neighbor who heard and observed some of the incident.
Spaulding was arrested and charged with Domestic Assault and Battery, Strangulation, Kidnapping and Child Abuse, creating a risk of injury. He is currently out on bond.
