Staff Report

Martin A. Bigler

SYRACUSE — A Syracuse man was arrested for allegedly battering a woman and child.

Martin A. Bigler, 54, 9853 N. Happiness Drive, Syracuse, is charged with domestic battery on a person less than 14 years old and domestic battery committed in the presence of a child, both level 6 felonies; and interference with the reporting of a crime, a class A misdemeanor.

On Sept. 5, Kosciusko County 911 Dispatch received a call from a child, who said a man was pushing and hitting a woman. A Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the domestic complaint, located in Syracuse. Meanwhile, a Syracuse Police officer arrived on scene first and separated the involved individuals.

Bigler was identified as the man involved in the incident.

According to court documents, the woman said she and Bigler were in a room when the child began talking about a previous argument that occurred inside the home. This upset Bigler, who allegedly pushed the woman off a bed and onto the ground. When the child attempted to stand up for the woman, Bigler pushed the child.

The child said they entered the room after they heard Bigler and the woman arguing. When they entered the room, Bigler stepped up toward them and shoved them out of the way. They told officers the woman attempted to stand up for them, which led Bigler to push the woman off a bed and hit her.

While the child was trying to call 911, Bigler grabbed the child’s right arm and punched them. The child said they believed Bigler did not want them to call 911 so that he could contact them first and give his side of the story.

The woman said Bigler kicked her while she was on the ground. Officers noticed the woman’s neck and face were red, and that she had a swollen eyebrow.

Bigler told officers the woman and child were arguing and that he was trying to go to bed when they both “came at him.” Bigler admitted to pushing them, but claimed he was protecting himself.

Bigler has already been arrested and released on his own recognizance. He has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Oct. 21, in Kosciusko Superior Court Two.