Kent Police arrested a man accused of kicking his wife in the abdomen during the late stages of her pregnancy early Saturday, Oct. 17 after a drone helped officers find him hiding in nearby trees, according to the department.
The woman, in her 20s, called 911 about 12:50 a.m. to report the assault. Emergency call takers heard a male voice in the background before the call went silent, police said.
When dispatchers called back, the woman said her husband, also in his 20s, was next to her, according to the department.
Officers sent a drone ahead while responding to the home. It spotted the man walking away from the back of the house and into a nearby tree line, police said.
Officer Flowers used location updates from drone operator Officer Bertolacci to find the man attempting to hide among the trees, according to the department. Police said he initially was uncooperative but was taken into custody as additional officers arrived.
The woman told officers her husband had come home intoxicated and become angry before the assault, police said. She was experiencing pain and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation of her pregnancy after Puget Sound Fire personnel assessed her.
The department’s account did not provide an update on her condition or identify any charges against the man.
“It is not unusual for a pregnancy to cause stress in a relationship,” police said in a statement. “It is unusual for that stress to result in kicking the pregnant spouse. If this is you, please reach out for help.”
Kent police encouraged people experiencing domestic violence to call 911 during an emergency. People who are currently safe and want to report an earlier assault can call Kent’s nonemergency dispatch line at 253-852-2121.
For people who cannot safely speak aloud, police said text messages to 911 are an option in Kent. The department also directed people seeking advocacy and support to the Domestic Abuse Women’s Network, known as DAWN.
