CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man has been accused of assaulting a pregnant woman.
Dakota Michael Taylor, 25, has been charged by Officer Eric D. Routch of the Lawrence Township police with misdemeanor counts of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct and summary harassment.
On Wednesday Taylor waived his right to a preliminary hearing during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. Bail is set at $25,000.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were dispatched to a domestic assault at 3:03 a.m. Jan. 21 at an apartment at Lawrence Park Village. While en route to the scene, police learned Taylor had come home intoxicated and was being verbally abusive toward the victim.
When she attempted to leave, Taylor pulled her back inside by her hair. She was 31 weeks pregnant (at the time) and began feeling stomach pains; she also had head and chest pains. She was able to flee to a neighbor’s apartment, the victim reported.
She detailed the incident further in an interview with police. According to her, Taylor had been drinking a lot with his friends. When he came home, he wanted to go through her phone. She agreed.
He opened a text message from his friend, saying “I can’t wake him up” and “he’s on his way sweet thing.” This upset Taylor and he began calling her names. She said she packed a bag knowing he gets violent when he drinks.
When she attempted to leave their apartment, Taylor allegedly grabbed her and pulled her down. She said she attempted to scream for help because she was in fear for herself and her unborn child. Taylor told her to stop and took her keys.
Taylor headed up the steps and she waited until he was at the top. She grabbed her phone and ran out the door. However, Taylor chased her and eventually caught her.
When he gained control of the victim, he allegedly grabbed her again by the top of the head. He told her if she didn’t stop, then someone would call the cops. She said he grabbed her phone and continued to call her names.
Taylor allegedly struck the victim on top of her head and ran back inside their apartment. She screamed for help again and a female came out to her. The victim was able to call police and gave consent for their apartment to be searched for Taylor.
Police checked Taylor’s information and determined there were warrants for him in Pittsburgh. He was also on adult probation, which included a no-alcohol clause.
Police requested assistance from Clearfield Borough officers. They checked the front door to the couple’s apartment, which was unlocked. Officers entered and announced their presence.
In an upstairs bedroom, police located Taylor asleep. He was ordered to get dressed and to place his hands behind his back. Officers subsequently handcuffed and detained him.
Taylor asked the officers what was going on because he didn’t understand why he was in any trouble. Police were contacted by an adult probation officer who advised Taylor would be detained on a probation violation.
An officer administered a breath test to determine Taylor’s level of intoxication for probation. The result showed .148 percent, according to the affidavit. Taylor was subsequently transported to the county jail.
The victim was taken to Penn Highlands DuBois for further evaluation.
