LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. — A Litchfield Park man with a prior history of domestic violence was arrested after his son called police and told them his father attempted to strangle him during an argument, according to an arrest report.
Deontay Johnson, 43, has been charged with aggravated assault, physical abuse against a child and disorderly conduct.
It was Tuesday, Oct. 24 when police in Litchfield Park responded to the call from the juvenile about the alleged abuse. The boy told police that after his father tried to hit him, his father put one hand around his neck, which the victim said made him unable to breathe, according to the arrest report.
Three witnesses who were at the home told police when the father initially tried to grab the child, the child got away. The witnesses said when the father tried again, he was able to get his hand around the victim's neck and they saw the boy struggling to breathe with his "eyes bulging," according to the report. One of the witnesses was able to get the child away from the man.
The father was read his Miranda rights and then told police he was just trying to discipline his child, the report said.
The child was taken for an exam at a hospital where a nurse told police she observed an abrasion on the front and back of his neck.
Johnson had been arrested before for aggravated assault against the victim, according to the report. He was given a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 31.
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