Staff Report

Kayla Anne Waltz

WARSAW — A couple face criminal charges after allegedly battering each another.

Kayla Anne Waltz, 33, 3280 Blackford Drive, Tippecanoe, is charged with domestic battery with a child under 16 present, a level 6 felony; domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor.

Robert A. James, 35, 3750 Lake City Highway 24, Warsaw, is charged with domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and domestic battery with a child under 16 present, both level 6 felonies; domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor.

On June 13, a Warsaw Police officer went to a residence regarding a custody issue. The caller, later identified as James, said Waltz had taken a child to her father’s home. James also informed dispatch he and Waltz had a physical altercation a few days prior.

Upon arrival at the scene, the officer spoke with James. According to court documents, James said Waltz took a child to her father’s home. However, James said he didn’t want the child at that home.

James later told the officer he and Waltz had a physical altercation on June 10. He said he spanked the child, which led to an argument. During the fight, Waltz allegedly spit on James’ face; in response, James pushed Waltz. He told the officer Waltz then began attempting to break items in the home. As he tried to keep her from breaking items, Waltz hit James in the back of the head multiple times.

James also mentioned an injury to Waltz’s eye but denied causing the injury. He said the child was in a bedroom with the door closed when the altercation occurred. At that time, the officer noticed no visible injuries on James.

Later that day, the officer met with Waltz at the Warsaw Police Department for an interview. Waltz said she and James had an argument on June 10 involving the child. She said at one point, James said something that made her angry, leading her to spit in James’ face. Waltz also said James attempted to pour hot coffee on her and pushed her. James allegedly then punched Waltz in the eye and hit her multiple times on the back of her head and side of her face. Waltz said she pushed James back and hit him in the back of the head three or four times.

She told the officer she did not call law enforcement at that time because she was scared of going to jail.

Waltz was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Aug. 2, with a $6,000 surety and cash bond. A warrant was issued for James’ arrest on July 29.