Charles Cornelius Cotton, Jr.

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was arrested after battering and strangling a female roommate.

Charles Cornelius Cotton, Jr., 31, 212 N. Cook St., Warsaw, is being charged with battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony; and strangulation, a level 6 felony.

On Jan. 24, an officer with the Warsaw Police Department was dispatched to a residence regarding a battery. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Cotton, who said there was an argument between him and his two roommates. The officer observed a cut on the back of Cotton’s head. Cotton told the officer he was struck in the back of the head during the argument.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, a female subject at the scene said a verbal argument occurred between Cotton and a female roommate. During the argument, Cotton struck the roommate in the face, causing her to bleed. Cotton also used his hands to apply pressure to the roommate’s neck. The female subject said she picked up a glass dish and struck Cotton in the back of the head to help the roommate. The roommate was then taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for her injuries.

The officer went to the hospital and spoke with the roommate, who said that a verbal argument occurred between her and Cotton when he placed his hands on her neck and obstructed her breathing. The roommate also said Cotton struck her in the face during the battery, causing her significant pain. The officer observed the roommate’s facial and neck injuries. It was later determined that the roommate suffered a fractured nose from the physical altercation.

The officer then returned to the scene of the battery and arrested Cotton. While transporting him to the Kosciusko County Jail, Cotton admitted that there was a physical altercation between him and the roommate.

Cotton has already been arrested and released on his own recognizance. He has an initial hearing date set at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in Kosciusko Superior Three Court.