FLAT TOP (LOOTPRESS) – In the early hours of October 6, 2024, deputies from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic disturbance on Hugh Lilly Road. The altercation involved Joshua Forrest and his live-in girlfriend, who was pregnant and was due to be induced later that day.
According to reports, Forrest initially called Mercer E-911 to complain that Redden wanted him to leave the residence after he brought home a cat. Shortly after, Redden contacted 911, alleging that Forrest had physically assaulted her during the dispute.
Upon arrival, Deputies J.P. Conner and A.M. Presley were let into the residence by the victim’s mother. Forrest, who was in the bathroom then, came out to speak with officers on the porch. He claimed the argument had been solely about the cat and denied any physical altercation.
The victim, however, provided a written statement saying that Forrest had returned home intoxicated around 4:00 a.m. after a night out with friends. The argument escalated when she informed Forrest that the cat could not stay due to her allergies. She stated that Forrest became agitated, yelled, and pushed her. She also claimed that Forrest later slammed a bathroom door on her as she tried to distance herself from the confrontation.
Deputies observed that Forrest appeared intoxicated. He admitted to drinking heavily, stating he wanted to “get drunk one more time before the baby came.” Based on the woman’s statement and the deputies’ observations, Forrest was arrested for domestic battery and transported to the Sheriff’s Department for processing.
