A Marion County man was jailed this week after deputies say a domestic dispute turned into a brutal brawl involving a broomstick, a metal rake, and multiple children caught in the chaos.
Calvin Ashley was arrested late Wednesday night on charges of felony domestic battery and child abuse after deputies reviewed disturbing video footage of the incident and spoke with several young witnesses. According to the arrest report, Ashley returned home angry that his girlfriend was using his white car for things he didn’t approve of—so he began smashing it with a metal rake.
When the woman tried to retrieve the keys, Ashley allegedly pushed her away. The couple then fought inside the home, where videos showed the woman hitting Ashley with a wooden broom before he retaliated with punches to her face and a body slam to the floor—twice. In one video, Ashley is accused of striking her in the mouth while she held a child in her arms.
Deputies noted that the children could be heard screaming in fear throughout the videos. Medical staff later confirmed the victim had a disfigured jaw and several broken teeth. Ashley told deputies he acted in self-defense, but the footage, combined with the children’s testimony, led law enforcement to determine he was the primary aggressor.
Ashley was booked into the Marion County Jail. No bond information was listed at the time of this report.
