North Webster Man Charged With Strangulation
Michael R. Gawthrop
NORTH WEBSTER — A man is being charged with strangulation and domestic battery in the presence of a child after getting into an altercation when his ex-wife came to pick up a child.
Michael R. Gawthrop, 26, 30 EMS W. 31 A Lane, North Webster, is being charged with strangulation and domestic battery with a child under 16 present, both level 6 felonies, domestic battery and battery, both class A misdemeanors.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to a battery call on Feb. 7.
When the officer arrived he spoke with a woman who advised Gawthrop had texted her and told her to come pick up a child at his residence. She further advised that a male had come with her to the North Webster home. When they arrived, Gawthrop brought the child out to the vehicle.
The affidavit states that the woman advised the officer that while she was putting the child into a carseat, Gawthrop began screaming within an inch of her face. At this time the accompanying male exited the vehicle and told Gawthrop to stop screaming and go back inside. Gawthrop struck the male in the face knocking him to the ground.
The female continued, saying Gawthrop placed the male in a chokehold until his face turned blue. She attempted to pull Gawthrop off and the male was able to stand up and get away. Gawthrop then shoved her to the ground and went after the male again.
When the officer spoke to the male subject he advised that Gawthrop had been screaming and raised a fist toward the female. He confirmed the female’s story, stating Gawthrop had punched him in the nose, knocking him to the ground, and began choking him. The male explained that he began poking him in the face to attempt to get free. After escaping Gawthrop and getting back into the vehicle, the male subject stated Gawthrop continued to scream at him through the vehicle.
Gawthrop admitted to throwing the male to the ground and strangling him. He was arrested and booked in Kosciusko County Jail on $6,000 surety and cash bond.
