Man charged for spanking son with belt

A local man was arrested late Thursday on a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from allegations he spanked his son with a belt, causing minor injuries.

Lindaniel West, 39, who lists a Barite Street address, was tak- en into custody at his residence shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday and charged with third-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to one year in jail. He remained in custody Friday in lieu of zero bond pending an appearance set for Jan. 30 in Garland County District Court.

According to the affidavit, shortly after 8 p.m., Garland County sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Bowerman was dispatched to a possible domestic situation at West’s residence and upon arrival made contact with West’s 14-year-old son, who stated his father had spanked him with a belt.

The son stated he had welts on his arms and left thigh due to being hit with the belt. Bowerman noted the injuries and took photos. He felt the injuries were significant enough to notify Department of Human Services to come and evaluate him and also contacted LifeNet to check him in case he needed to go to a hospital.

LifeNet personnel reportedly examined him and determined the injuries were not substantial enough to warrant being transported.

Bowerman spoke to West’s wife who stated her son had been getting into a lot of trouble at school and even had to change schools three times in the last few months. She stated he had got into trouble at school again that day which had prompted his father to punish him.

West, his wife and the son all three stated it was the first time the boy had been spanked.

• An reportedly homeless man was arrested on misdemeanor warrants Thursday morning stemming from allegations he attacked his wife earlier this month at a local restaurant.

Jimmy Lee Hamilton, 28, who lists “city streets” as his address, was taken into custody shortly after 10:30 a.m. in the 600 block of Ouachita Avenue and charged with third-degree domestic battery and violation of a protection order, each punishable by up to one year in jail.

Hamilton appeared in district court Friday and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, scheduled to be released Feb. 17. He is set to appear March 16 on the two misdemeanor counts.

According to the affidavit, on Jan. 10, shortly before 8:30 p.m., Hamilton’s wife alleges she was attacked by Hamilton at the Waffle House, 2017 Central Ave. She said he slapped her in the face several times out in the parking lot.

She entered the restaurant and sat at a table and Hamilton reportedly came in and struck her again in the back of the head. Witnesses reportedly corroborated her statement and officers noted she had redness to her left cheek area.

A computer check revealed a no contact order had been issued against Hamilton on Nov. 17, 2016, regarding her.