Austin man arrested after injuring woman in front of children

BEDFORD – An Austin man was arrested on battery charges after Bedford Police officers were called to the Super 8 Motel on Bell Back Road Tuesday afternoon. 

The caller told police they could hear a man throwing a woman against the wall and threatening to kill her. 

Randy Elam

When police arrived they found 35-year-old Randy Elam outside. 

Another officer went inside to speak to the woman in the room where the incident happened.

The woman told police the two had been arguing for days. Police say she was emotionally distraught. She said Elam had become violent and she had been physically assaulted. She said Elam pushed her down, grabbed her, and pulled her left arm. The woman had redness and cuts and scratches on her left arm and around her neck. 

She told police Elam then pushed a pillow over her face to hold her down and she couldn’t breathe. She then passed out. She attempted to leave the room but Elam wouldn’t let her. He also took her phone so she couldn’t call for help. 

This all happened in front of her son and his daughter. 

Elma was arrested on charges of domestic battery resulting in bodily injury, domestic battery in the presence of a minor, criminal confinement and strangulation.

The woman was medically examined by an IU Health Hospital ambulance crew and cleared of any major injuries.

If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic violence situation and needs help, call Hoosier Hills PACT 24-hour crisis line at 1-888-883-1959 or visit their website at https://www.pactchangeslives.com/.

The agency can provide emergency assistance with shelter to those in domestic violence situations. Hoosier Hills Pack also provides assistance with court advocacy, protective orders, education, outreach programs, support groups, and more.