Parker D. Jones of Belle has been charged with fourth-degree assault and abuse or neglect of a child following an altercation Tuesday, Oct. 20, at a residence in Belle.
According to a probable cause statement filed by Cpl. Amanda Carnes, a physical altercation had taken place at about 6:45 p.m. after Cassandra R. Dingley, who responded to a call from a juvenile who did not want to be home alone.
Dingley noted she was friends with the juvenile’s father, Jones, and the child had often visited her home. Dingley further said she had never been told by Jones that his daughter could not come to her residence with her, and as a result, went to pick her up at about 4:40 p.m.
At approximately 6:30, while in the vehicle with her two small children and Jones’s daughter, Dingley was attempting to leave the road upon which she lives when Jones pulled up aggressively in his vehicle.
According to Dingley’s statement, Jones demanded that his daughter return home and she refused, at which time Jones exited his vehicle and began arguing with them. Jones reportedly then lunged in through the driver’s window and in the process, struck Dingley in the face and pushed her out of the way. Dingley said Jones also threw a lit cigarette into her shirt and proceeded to go over her to get to his daughter.
Jones allegedly then reached for his daughter, who was attempting to use her cell phone. He grabbed her on the right side of the head and ear, pulling her hair while trying to pull her from the vehicle.
Due to the assault she witnessed, Dingley at that time fled the scene with the child in the car, fearing for their safety.
The juvenile told Carnes that she was upset with her father for always leaving her home alone, and after Dingley picked her up, the child said she later notified her father of her whereabouts.
During the scuffle, the juvenile said she was attempting to call 911 when Jones forcefully took away the phone and withdrew from the vehicle. She told Carnes she was afraid her father was going to hurt her.
Jones, meanwhile, told Carnes that he wanted his daughter to come home because she had not asked to leave, and admitted to lunging into the vehicle and taking the phone, but said he did not intentionally strike Dingley.
As for the cigarette, Jones neither confirmed nor denied throwing it in Dingley’s shirt, saying only, “She had my daughter,” according to the probable cause statement.
Jones said he did not attempt to contact Dingley or his daughter after they left the scene.
The court entered a plea of not guilty for Jones as to the misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree assault. The other charge is a felony.
Jones was released on his own recognizance without bond and was ordered to report at 10 a.m. Nov. 3 before Judge Sonya D. Brandt for a bond hearing, at which time, he is expected to bring proof of enrollment in counseling/anger management classes and proof of employment.
Jones was ordered to have no contact with either of the alleged victims.