Docs: Muncie man strangled, punched and kicked pregnant girlfriend

MUNCIE, Ind. — Police have arrested a man accused of punching and strangling his pregnant girlfriend during an altercation in Muncie this week.

Officers with the Muncie Police Department were called Monday around 7:32 p.m. after receiving a call from a man, who police later identified as 45-year-old Daniel Williams, who wanted to report a road rage call.

When police initially arrived, Williams reportedly told them his ex-girlfriend had been following him as he was on his way to work and threatening him. Officers also managed to get in touch with the woman, who agreed to follow them back to her residence in the 2400 block of S. Vine Street to speak with them.

The woman later told police that Williams had assaulted her earlier that day. Court documents indicate that she confirmed she was eight months pregnant with Williams’ child and that this was the second child they were having together.

She explained that Williams had forced his way into her home and “grabbed her by the throat” before allegedly punching her two times in the face, court documents said. After the incident, the woman said Williams left and drove off in his car.

After speaking with a family member, the woman told police she was advised to follow Williams to capture an image of his license plate number to file a report.

Emergency Medical Services soon arrived on the scene and provided a medical assessment of the woman’s reported injuries. They also confirmed that the baby suffered no injuries and “was okay,” court documents said.

The woman revealed that the incident had started on the day before, on May 19, when they began arguing. That particular instance did not turn physical as Williams left the home once the couple finished arguing, court documents showed. The woman said Williams returned the next day and began knocking loudly on her front door. The victim said she ignored this and tried to continue sleeping.

She said Williams then walked around to her window and “started making threats, saying he was going to harm her.” Later that day, court documents show that Williams returned to the woman’s home and allegedly kicked her door down to force his way inside. Later that evening, she said she took multiple baths because her back was hurting due to the pregnancy.

She told police that Williams was convinced this meant that she was cheating on him. It was at this point that their dispute became physical, as Williams proceeded to allegedly grab her by the throat and “held on to her neck for about 10-15 seconds.” She confirmed to police that this briefly caused her to be unable to breathe, according to court documents.

After this, the woman reported that Williams allegedly punched her twice in the face and her neck before he kicked her on her side and stomach area. The woman said Williams then left the residence to head to work for the rest of the day. The woman said all of this occurred before she decided to follow him and before Williams called dispatch.

Police arrested Williams and transported him to the Delaware County Jail, where he faces the following preliminary charges:

• Strangulation Committed against Pregnant Woman (Level 5 Felony)
• Domestic Battery- Bodily Injury to Pregnant Female (Level 5 Felony)
• Burglary: Bodily Injury (Level 3 Felony)

As of this article’s publication, online court records do not indicate when Williams is scheduled to appear for an initial hearing.