Pitt football player Hayes pleads to reduced charge of harassment

A Pitt football player pleaded guilty to a summary charge of harassment this week in connection with accusations he assaulted the mother of his child after an argument earlier this month.

Dayon Hayes, 21, was initially charged with simple assault in connection with the Nov. 6 incident.

According to the criminal complaint, a 911 dispatcher took a call and could hear what sounded like a struggle and a woman saying, “get out.”

Hayes had left the East Hills home by the time police arrived. The woman said the argument began that afternoon when Mr. Hayes slammed a door.

The woman said Hayes — a 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman — doused her with bleach and grabbed a fistful of her hair, according to the complaint. She said he forced her head against a wall and then refused to let her out of the room, shutting the door on her leg in the process.

Police noted in the complaint the woman had red marks and swelling on her thigh. Hayes was arrested hours later and released on nonmonetary bond.

Hayes’ attorney could not immediately be reached.

At a preliminary hearing Tuesday in front of District Judge Nicholas Martini, the harassment charge was moved to non-traffic court as a summary citation.

Hayes returned to play Saturday against Duke after missing the previous game against Virginia.

“You’re always innocent until proven guilty, but we’ve made him guilty until he’s innocent,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said Monday. “He’s paid a price with the team and paid a price on the field when he was out for a weekend.”