I don't want anything to happen to me. I don't want to be arrested or anything like that. >> So, you know that you were arguing, but you don't know what it was about. >> No, I'll call. >> The call came in from New York. A worried aunt was trying to help her niece, who was living in Palm Coast with her three children. She said the man dragged her across the house by her ankle and punched her in the head. >> Um, I'm calling from New York. Um, I have a niece that lives down in Palm Coast. Um she's in like a domestic violence situation with her three children to get information. She's scared to call the police. Um but she wants to move back home to New York. He dragged her around the house by her ankle, punched her in in the temple. Um, and she sent me photos to my email like, but I don't know if they're from today or not, but there's in the photos there's scratches on her neck, a bloody lip, a bruised. >> When deputies arrived, they spoke with the woman outside the house. She was scared of what might happen next. Hello. Are you in 516? >> Okay. >> Are you in 516? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Hey, uh, can we talk? >> Yeah. >> Are you just like you scare my kid? >> What do you mean I'm scaring your kids? >> Hi. Are you kidding me? >> Hi. Yeah. >> Okay. Um, hi. Are you just going back around there? Okay. Are you able to come out and talk to us? I'm sorry. Are you able to come out and talk to us? Yeah. >> Okay. So, we got a call from the neighbors that there was some stuff going on earlier here. Were you Is there anything you want to talk about? Do you want to go somewhere and talk? No. >> Okay. At any point, was there any screaming? Any arguing? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Did it get physical? Are you sure? >> Your kids are not going to get taken away. >> You understand that? >> Don't worry. >> It's okay. >> My neighbors know. >> Okay. The neighbor. You >> want to come in? >> Yeah. Huh? Can you guys hear the customer? I don't want anything to happen to him. Like I don't want to be arrested or anything like that. That's all I got to say. So I don't want to talk about it like that. >> Hello. >> We just start I'll be writing. I'll I'll come and talk to you. We got some some things from the neighbor. You're working. Um, but yeah, >> I'm not going, you know. So, yeah. Yeah, everything's fine. Um going so yeah I'm sure my cold Yeah. >> She told me your concern. >> I know. I said to her cuz history >> and that's my biggest concern. >> The physical history. >> Yeah. Like in New York. Did anything happen today? >> Yeah. I mean, my reality, you know what I mean? >> The woman shared that she had no family in Florida. All her support was back in New York. Right now, she depended on him financially and felt trapped. >> But I don't want to I don't want anything to happen cuz I cannot have them leave. So, my hands are trying to have like I can't have I can't I can't have an arrest. I can't taken away right now. >> Why? because I can't support anything on my own right now and me and my aunt are trying to construct a plan of action over >> Charlie. I'm going to be 10 and he doesn't know that right now. >> Okay. >> Secretly I'm trying to like make a plan. They just have like a like a drama right now because like I said there's a history with the police and stuff like that and >> um as you know >> have you been arrested before? >> Mhm. >> Here. >> No. >> Okay. >> For the same reason, you know, but in New York. >> Mhm. It's just I don't want to get in trouble. I don't >> I've never hesitated to call or anything. >> Hello. That's deputy door. Hi. Sorry. Let me just kind of let you know. So, aunt's called cuz she's from New York >> and said that he literally just pick up on her earlier today and she didn't want anything to happen to her kids. His wife didn't call it and he was inside. He has no idea. I go in the neighbor called clearly cuz I'm not going to like aunt. >> No. >> Yeah, that's what I That's why I did it. Aunt wanted to get on. >> Well, she didn't care. She knew. She just didn't care. She didn't want him. >> No. >> He has no idea why we're here. >> So, do you want to tell me what led up to? >> Yeah. >> She told me to get up today. >> Yeah. And I I don't want to say anything to incriminate because I don't want anything to happen. That's all I'm going to say right now. You know, if I needed if I wanted to happen, I would apologize myself. I'm not saying, but you know, in the past, like I said, there's a history. I simply want to call the cops every single time. So, I don't hesitate. But with this situation, I know I have nobody here, like nobody in Florida, you know. So, if anything were to happen, I I need him right now financially, as you can probably understand, you know, um Christmas. >> I can't understand that. >> I know. Unfortunately, I've never been through it. >> What you're doing is to justify it. >> And it's never justifiable for any man or any woman to do that to anyone. >> Yeah. Don't worry, >> especially in front of your kids because eventually it's going to be your kiss >> or it's going to continue being you and you're not a punching them. >> Yeah. >> So, I don't understand when you tell me you I don't understand. I don't think that's ever okay. >> The deputy made it clear that violence is never okay. Not between adults and especially not in front of children. >> When you're when you're in situations like this, it's easy to understand. >> You have a way out. You have a way out. Your aunt said she'd come get you. >> Yeah. That's why I'm like that's why I'm mad before you guys cuz I'm like quickly I'm like please don't say anything. I just want to know if I like talk to you about things like something going to happen. >> The woman understood but she was still scared. She said she only wanted to talk, not cause an arrest. She knew that once certain information came out, officers would have to act. >> I don't think anything to happen. Whatever you tell me, if I find anything, I have to act on it. Okay. >> Yeah. And >> I'm telling you that. I I want to know what kind of happened. I don't want to talk about it because I said you have to act and I I cannot I cannot and this is mine. I'm so upset. I want to go in there and call my aunt. I'm so upset that she told you guys. Um just know that I'm working on it. >> I'm working on it. I have to talk to him. >> That's you can talk to him. >> Oh, I know. I'm going to talk to him and I'm going to find out and >> whatever he's going to do. I'm just letting him know. >> Okay. of my whatever I decide. Are you willing to do a statement today? >> No. No. >> No. I'll call. Yeah. >> Mike. >> Hey, Mike. >> Sorry. >> No, you're good. >> Okay. Are we able to come talk? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Where? >> Right there. >> Okay. While one officer stayed with her, other deputies went to speak with the man inside the home. They explained why they were there. >> I'm going to stay here for a second just in case. >> Just call. Oh, okay. Hey, stop over here. >> He's here. >> Yeah. All right. So, the reason we're here is we got a call from neighbors that something was going on over here earlier. >> Okay. >> So, they were screaming. This isn't the first time. >> I was going to say she's been gone since the afternoon. >> Yeah, it was it's delayed. >> Oh, there we know what happened. >> What do you mean? Why was there screaming? >> That's pretty good. were yelling before something happened that you know about yelling. Nobody >> yelling unfortunately. >> What were you guys yelling about today? >> They yell every day. >> Yeah, I know. That's why we're here. not cold in this apartment. >> Um, I don't know. Honestly, I don't know. >> Officers then spoke with the man inside the home. He said there had been arguing earlier in the day, but claimed it was nothing serious. >> So, you remember that you were arguing, but you don't know what it was about. >> What happened today? It's 8:49 p.m. >> Yeah. sarcastic being serious. Three kids are stressed and tired and don't sleep and just fine. But again, not like the whole day. >> Mhm. >> The music did probably a little bit today. She left, went to the store, she was gone for a while, came back, left again. >> So there she made dinner and I was in my room with my son. Came out and we all s quite for a while actually. And then you bring it out the door. >> Okay. >> So I don't have I really don't probably the kids. We argued, you know, didn't listen to her, I yelled at them. She yelled at me. >> That's basically the gist of it every day. >> Okay. Well, the argument that was heard was something along the lines, you didn't sleep. >> Didn't sleep. >> Yeah. You were upset cuz you didn't sleep. >> Not me. >> That you sleep night. I mean, you work night. >> Well, I was and I stopped. Step four, it's not working. >> Okay, I couldn't sleep every day. >> He admitted there had been past problems with police, including a previous arrest for domestic violence. He said earlier cases were dropped and insisted nothing physical happened that day. >> What happens when you guys argue? I know that you got arrested before. I looked before I got here. You got arrested before for domestic violence. >> Mhm. >> Is that normal? >> No. No, it's normal things when um after the kids she had postpartum and it was just very difficult to deal with and saying crazy things. >> So what happened when you got arrested the first time? >> Um >> when you got arrested for hitting her I was never arrested for hitting >> in New York. >> Yeah. Never actually hit her ever. >> Okay. >> I mean she might have said that briefly and then it was dropped. So it never became it was all dropped. Yeah, but you got arrested for it, >> right? Did any of that happen today? >> No, >> I didn't get physical at all today. >> I've never put my hands on her. >> Okay. >> That means nothing to me. I see it all the time. People hit people and they have kids. >> I don't put my hands on. >> Okay. Just saying. Based on the information already reported, officers decided to place him under arrest. They explained it was for domestic violence tied to an assault earlier that day. >> All right. Once we u put these on, you will explain everything that's going on. Okay. think Charlie >> right here just lean on the car. >> Why? I I just don't understand. >> Sit in there and I'll explain it to you. Let me double check the back. >> All right, you're good. Have a seat. >> Coming around. The description is your >> The officer explained that the phone call combined with what the woman shared on scene was enough to move forward. In Florida, domestic violence cases do not require the victim to press charges. All right. So, you're placed under arrest for domestic violence. Um, >> we have a statement of >> you hitting your wife upside the headlier today. >> Um, not from her directly from another party. >> What other dog? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. I asked you what happened. You had a chance to assume yourself. You didn't want to tell me what occurred. You were very vague. Very >> ma'am. I'm not trying to be vague. I I have a busy life with three kids and we argued this morning. >> Okay. But I absolutely did not put my hands on her. >> Okay. >> And I don't could have been a murder. >> I'm not going to get no reason to tell me she said that, but I wouldn't further. >> I don't think she would have said. >> Okay. >> That's why you're saying a third party said it. >> Yeah. That's a third party. >> Okay, I'll be back. I have to go talk to her. Okay. >> Okay. >> I just need um all the paperwork. >> 13. >> If you run into any girl tonight that you want to give a gift, I bought like two extra gifts. Just ch me. >> Huh? >> I will never. >> One day you will, George. >> She admitted the truth had come out earlier. She had told the deputy everything that he had hit her again that day. >> Hello. >> Huh? >> I didn't say anything. Look at you. >> I have you on body cam. >> Yeah. I didn't say >> you did and you said you weren't. Okay. Um, >> do you want to step out here or do you want to talk like >> Yeah, I'm still quiet cuz this is kind of >> You said it happened earlier. I said, "What happened? Did he hit you today?" And you said yes. And you didn't want to talk about it. >> You need something? >> Yes. I was just like, >> "No." >> And I said to you in the beginning, just so you know, so I have to record it, which I understand. And so I said, "Okay, no problem." >> Okay, I understand it's not what you want, but okay. >> All right. I understand that. >> I'm just confused on like how we were on. What did you say? >> I gaslighted in a sense, but I just I didn't say yes or no. Like I'm confused. I know how this goes and I didn't say yes or no. So just you're getting You said it's just based on the phone call that you guys received. >> Well, that alone is enough. And then when I had asked you, you had you did allude to that that occurred. The phone call enough. The phone call was enough. And me coming here and speaking to you, I have enough to pursue. And even after speaking to you, it was even more. >> Can I understand what's the point speaking to me? Is it just a little bit of a phone call? >> I wanted to get more information. I understand this is not what you wanted. This is not the outcome you wanted. Um, but he committed a harm. I I don't know what else to tell you. It's not okay for him to hit you and you calling your aunt and saying that all that occurred today. >> So, what happened? >> Okay, this is what's going to happen. He won't be able to come here until he sees a judge. >> Does he know that? >> That he's not going to be here for Christmas. Well, he knows he's under arrest. He does. >> Did you say like >> for domestic violence and he passed away with her? >> Did you say anything? What did you say? >> Nope. I gave him a chance. He says I've never hit her in my life. >> Whatever happened in New York? Um he got let off. It was proof that he never hit you. And he said um who would tell on him? He says I know it wasn't her. It was the dog. He sarcastically said he said it was the dog. He said who else would tell on me? Was it the dog? Sarcastically he was saying was it the dog? And I said no. I didn't put your aunt's name in it. I mean, eventually when I do the affidavit and that I spoke to her that that occurred and he's going to see that it was her. >> So, what else do you want to tell me? >> Is there anything I can tell your aunt to help you? >> I know this is not what you wanted. Okay. >> I didn't say I I don't want to talk about it. I didn't admit to anything. I didn't say anything. I just said we were arguing and he didn't hit you. And I was like yes or no. I didn't say anything. >> You said yes, but you didn't want anything to happen to him. I mean, you're free. This is all public. >> I know that. >> And you're able to see it. Okay. I wouldn't act on something that I didn't have enough. Like when you're saying that, you're making it seem like I just did it to do it. I had a third party. I made contact. You told me it happened. If I didn't answer the door, what would have happened? >> Like, did I have to answer the door just now? >> We just answered the door because I didn't know like who would have things like that. >> I know, but look at look at your mind process right now. Do you see where you're at? What would have happened if I didn't answer the door? >> Yeah. Okay. I mean, I'm not sure what to tell you. I understand. I don't understand what you're going through, but I can understand the emotions of all this coming at you at once. >> It's Christmas. I >> You know what I mean? That's what I'm like. I just I just I just don't I just don't get it. I just say yes. And that's why I'm confused. I want to come to me if you're not even going to listen to me. It's just that's what's frustrating. >> William, I spoke to you and um you told me it occurred and you didn't want to pursue it. I asked you if you would do a statement. Would you thought about it? You told me no. You said you didn't want him to get in trouble. You said you had a plan to get out of here because he's been hitting you all the time since New York and he's been arrested before. You told me all of that. >> She was worried about rent, her kids missing their father, and not having anyone in Florida to help her. She said even in New York when it was just her, it was hard. >> I understand. You know, I understand what you have to do. I I understand all of it. Um I just I guess Florida is different cuz in in New York, you know, like I've told you, >> it's a zero tolerance for domestic violence. >> I can see that because in New York they would be like, "Okay, what happened?" And I'd be like, "Oh, no, nothing. Okay, have a good night. See you later." You know, and so that's why I'm like really confused. No, in Florida and especially Fer County, we have zero tolerance for domestic violence because >> it gets really domestic violence is the worst thing. It progresses into more violence and >> yeah, >> worst case scenario death and we try to protect the victim as much as we can and when >> even unwilling like even when I'm willing to >> Yep. >> to Yeah. like I brought a statement for you to write with or without this. The rest gets made. See what I'm saying? >> This I made it very clear that I just want to walk away. >> I just I just walk away and that's all I want to do because in the past multiple times in New York going through this this exact situation right now >> and each time I regretted it and regretted it and bailed him out. I regretted it and regretted it. regret it in the sense of like regretted calling you guys like the police >> because it's such a drama. Like I I can't I go back anyway. It doesn't help anything. It actually is making everything worse right now. My kids are missing their father at Christmas. Forget about what we went through. My kids now are missing their father on Christmas. And um and financially, you know, I can't support this apartment by myself. We can barely support it together. And now I'm thinking, well, now what? Especially if he can't come back. >> What the hell? I understand that aunt said what she said. >> Yeah. For the next couple days, he can't come. >> Well, that's the thing. Like, let's say the judge decides, >> no, he can't come back >> X amount of a year or whatever whatever they want to work with. >> I can't like I can't even in New York when I have the support and like less kids, you know, before we had kids and I went through this, even that alone was tough. And now I have my three children. I'm in a place I don't know. So you have to understand from my perspective like if I would if I felt like I needed to call the police which I've never hesitated I would have done so. >> At what point do you say is enough? >> What's your what's your >> like from the past like what was the >> to this day right now? What's your enough? >> Like I felt like I was going to be >> do you hear yourself? >> I know it sounds insane. Not insane. It's that's you just being a victim and over. You're like, "Oh, I can tolerate a little bit more. I can tolerate a little bit more." >> See what I'm saying? >> You're You're right. I just >> I just I wish I could help you in You know what? I actually have two things for them in my car. That >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> I just uh >> You guys want some Christmas gifts? >> Mhm. >> I got two in my car. A boy and a girl. Look at that. Uhhuh. Thank you. >> Yeah, of course. But just >> I just I don't know what to do cuz it's cuz this is like another day. I'd probably be more like >> all right, >> reach out to your aunt and ask her for financial support for the next couple of days. She said she was willing to help you. >> I know my aunt's willing to do she's like my sister. We're very very very close. >> So I think you should do that. >> And she even said to you guys she didn't want you guys to come here. She's like I I you guys said you had to now. And then I said why don't you give my name and my address? >> Yeah. the moment she told me that he did hit you today, like past domestic violence. I'm not saying we both set aside. But if there's history over and over of domestic violence and we get brought of it like it was like 400 p.m. That's not really delayed. You know what I'm saying? It happened today. >> The deputy gently reminded her this wasn't about punishing someone. It was about protecting her and her children. >> So when things like that, we have to act on it. When you say, "Oh, I was hit like 3 years ago." You know, we still document it, but it's very hard to prove that that's because of the delay of the incident. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> But it happened today earlier this afternoon. Therefore, we had to investigate. >> She told me and we're here. >> But abuse doesn't stop for the holidays. The woman became more upset as time went on. She said the police being there did not help her. >> I just prayed that for like a month or two from now. You know what I mean? not like uh Christmas day or Christmas weekend. Like this is not this is not okay in for my kids. It's not even I'm not even thinking about me. This stuff doesn't help me. This is not helpful. This is it makes it worse every time. That's why I'm so angry. >> I need to do your job. It just makes it worse. I mean, look at this. >> Who who wants to deal with this? like I I don't know what to do with the other. I get I get it from your perspective. But >> the deputy listened and tried to explain that he understood how heavy this felt. I >> I see you. Okay. I see what you're going through. >> I I understand all the aspects, but you don't need all of those aspects in addition to what's occurring. I don't want to say anything in front of your children, >> but in addition to what is occurring. That is worse. You're not a punching bag. >> The woman said this whole process made her less likely to ever call police again. From her point of view, calling for help felt more dangerous than staying silent. >> I didn't call you guys and then it's Christmas weekend and this is exactly like a double whammy of like what I don't want happening. If it was like in the middle of January and this is happening right now, I'd be like, >> you know, but like my kid now my kid at the suffer his fault of course in a sense, but this is not this is not this is not what this is not. No, I just I'm I'm beyond angry right now. >> Anything I can do to help you? >> There's nothing. There's really nothing. This is not helpful. >> I think that you're doing a good job, but this is not >> Now, I'm going to ask you, do you want to do a written statement of what occurred here today? >> No. >> Okay. The report's going to say exactly what your aunt told me, that you called her earlier today. I don't want to say it out loud, but he was trying to sleep. It out loud and he hit you up by the head. He punched her in the head. That's what she told me. That's what the report's going to say, saying that she told me this. Okay. But when he had asked me, I just said it was a third party. Okay. So, he will eventually if he reads the report, he's going to know where it came from. >> Mhm. >> I just want to give you the heads up. That's how it's going to transpire. >> Discouraging for victims. >> I have to I'm just >> Yeah. I was going to tell you, I don't want you to be discouraged or be hesitant to call police next time. Like it's appreciated when it's welcomed, but when it's not, it's more dangerous from experience. It's more dangerous than not. Like it's more dangerous to call you guys than not to. And I just I'm just looking at financially or >> in every way. It's just like there's more bad than good, but I understand the reasoning, common sense. The reason >> The deputy later explained why this kind of call is so difficult. The woman wasn't just scared of her partner. She was scared of what life would look like without him. >> What would you do if this was something happening to one of your kids? >> If it was something happening to them, >> same thing. Your daughter's in the same situation and your daughter called you like you called your arms. What would you do? >> I would I would be very nervous. But I if they told me not to do anything, I would to a degree. But like like like I would make it inquiring but it's but I'm smart enough and know how the process works and she doesn't. You don't drop your name and the address but she did innocently which is you know >> very hard to just not you know what I mean? So that's what um but it's all good intentions. I understand that and you know I understand how there's nothing else. I wish I could. >> It's just I wish it wasn't on Christmas weekend and that's that's the biggest [music] problem I'm having right now. So, >> well, I'm going to go really quick grab those things for you. Okay. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Yeah, of course. >> In the end, the man was charged with domestic battery. Christmas didn't end the way anyone planned, but it might be the first step toward finally ending a decade of pain. If you've ever witnessed something like this or been through it yourself, drop a comment below. Share your thoughts. You never know who might need to hear it. Stay safe and take care of each other.