A birthday celebration in Marion County took a violent turn when deputies say a drunken domestic dispute spiraled into chaos, leaving two women battered, a phone smashed, and even a newborn allegedly thrown into a bassinet.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Blake Lay was arrested Saturday night after a series of disturbing events following a birthday party involving his child. Witnesses say the party ended in a physical altercation where Lay is accused of strangling two women, punching another man in the face, and forcefully tossing a weeks-old infant across the room.
One of the victims told deputies that Lay slammed her to the ground by the throat and choked her until her airway began to close—only stopping when her husband intervened. That man said he was then punched in the face multiple times by Lay but declined to press charges.
Another woman said she entered a bedroom after hearing screaming and saw Lay grab the infant, swing him through the air, and throw him into a bassinet from several feet away before turning on her with both fists and fury. The woman showed deputies the exact distance from which Lay allegedly threw the baby.
Later, a third victim reported being punched in the mouth during an argument over feeding the child. When she tried to call for help, Lay allegedly destroyed her phone, hurling it against the wall—pizza, watermelon, and all. Deputies confirmed they found food splattered across the room and a shattered Samsung Galaxy S21.
When law enforcement arrived, they found Lay in the front yard wearing only his underwear, sweating heavily, and appearing “heavily intoxicated.” After being read his rights, Lay denied everything, claiming he was the one attacked.
Lay was arrested and charged with Battery by Strangulation, Domestic Battery, Child Abuse, and Criminal Mischief. The investigation remains active.
The usual suspect!