Fort McCoy, Florida — A Fort McCoy man remained behind bars Thursday, accused of strangling his girlfriend and battering her 2-year-old daughter.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 14400 block of Northeast 203 Place, Fort McCoy, in reference to a domestic disturbance.
Deputy Timothy Marton reported, “I made contact with the victim, who had obvious bruises on both sides of her neck. The marks appeared to be consistent with being strangled by someone’s hands.”
The victim told the deputy that she and her boyfriend, Charles Wimmer, 21, had gotten into an argument in the bedroom, where the victim’s 2-year-old daughter sleeps.
The victim stated that while they were arguing, Wimmer reached down and grabbed the sleeping child by her ankle and “flung” her on the floor.
When the victim attempted to defend her daughter, Wimmer grabbed the victim by the throat with both hands, choking her until she could not breathe.
Wimmer then released the victim, at which time she grabbed her daughter and placed her back on the bed.
According to reports, the two then began arguing about Wimmer grabbing the child.
The victim told the deputy that while arguing, Wimmer again reached down and grabbed the child by her ankle and “flung” her off the bed.
Wimmer then grabbed the victim by the throat and began to choke her a second time.
The victim stated that while Wimmer was choking her, his little brother arrived home and [he] let her go.
Wimmer’s brother told the deputy that he saw the marks on the victim’s neck and confronted Wimmer. The brother stated that Wimmer then became angry and hit him, at which time the two began to fight.
The deputy reported that Wimmer was on the bed in the back bedroom when he arrived. When he asked Wimmer what had happened, Wimmer replied, “Nothing.”
Wimmer told the deputy that his little brother was being annoying and they had a small fight.
According to reports, Wimmer denied touching his girlfriend and the child.
Wimmer was arrested and charged with Domestic Battery by Strangulation (F) and Cruelty Toward a Child (F).
He is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Department of Children and Families was also notified.
Wimmer is not the biological father of the little girl.