A Garland County man was arrested on a felony battery charge after allegedly slapping his pregnant wife while arguing with her while drunk early Friday.
Derek Duane Seaton Cathcart, 43, of 349 Crepe Myrtle Trail, was taken into custody at his residence shortly before 1 a.m. and charged with third-degree domestic battery, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison.
Cathcart, who lists no prior criminal history, was initially held on zero bond, but appeared via video Friday morning in Garland County District Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. Judge Ralph Ohm set Cathcart's bond at $2,500 and issued an order barring him from contact with his wife. A felony review hearing is now set for May 18.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly after midnight Friday, Garland County sheriff's Deputy Lonnie Yarbrough was dispatched to the Crepe Myrtle residence regarding a domestic disturbance but met the victim at the Shell station, 100 Highway 7 north.
The victim was checked out by LifeNet and it was noted she is six months pregnant. She told Yarbrough her husband, identified as Cathcart, was drunk and she had tried to pour out his vodka when he slapped from behind on the left side of her head. She alleged he also put his hands around her throat at one point, but she pushed him away and fled the residence.
Deputies noted she had redness and swelling to her left ear, but there were no visible marks on her throat area. Deputies went to the residence and took Cathcart into custody without incident. Because the victim is pregnant, the charge is a felony.
Local on 04/11/2020