A Lake County man was arrested for battery after reportedly slapping the mother of his 5-year-old daughter. An officer responded to a battery at an undisclosed apartment in Leesburg around 4 p.m. on Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. Upon arrival, he spoke with the female victim, who claimed 27-year-old Isaiah Jordan Bechard slapped her in the face when she was attempting to flee while holding their child.
She explained that they were having a verbal argument, and when she attempted to leave, she got slapped in the face. He did this while they sat in their gold 2008 GMC Yukon. After exiting their vehicle with the youngster, she walked inside to retrieve her items. He then threw her to the ground inside the flat and continued to strike her, according to the report.
Their next-door neighbor reported that she overheard the victim and Bechard argue. She attempted to gather their children so they would not be part of the event, in which she witnessed Bechard throw the victim to the ground. He began to beat her, according to the report.
The officer then spoke with their five-year-old daughter, who indicated that she witnessed her “daddy slap mommy’s face” when they were near the car, according to the report.
Bechard confessed that he and the victim had a verbal fight, and she wanted to take their vehicle and leave their apartment. As she moved away from him, he threw both of his arms around her in a “bear hug” to prevent her from taking the car. According to the report, he denied punching her and instead claimed to have grabbed her.
Furthermore, a review of Bechard’s criminal history revealed one prior guilty conviction for battery dated Jan. 13, 2021, the report stated.
Bechard was eventually arrested on the allegation of simple violence (domestic with one prior conviction). He was taken to the Lake County Jail and freed after posting a $5,000 bond.