BEDFORD— A Bedford woman was arrested Monday after a domestic disturbance at an RV lot escalated into a physical altercation involving her husband and brother, according to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.
Renee Veerkamp, 34, was taken into custody on July 7 on a preliminary charge of domestic battery, a Level 6 felony. Deputies responded to the 50 block of Rainmaker Street after a call to dispatch from Veerkamp’s husband, who reported she had slapped him in the mouth and forehead.
Responding officers were advised that the man has epilepsy. Upon arrival, deputies found him actively seizing and bleeding from the head. Medical personnel provided treatment at the scene.
Veerkamp told deputies the conflict began when she and her husband attempted to nap in their RV. She said he became upset when she declined to cuddle due to the heat, called her a derogatory name, and she slapped him in response. She claimed he attempted to punch her but missed. She admitted to throwing his belongings out of the RV, which led to further confrontation.
Veerkamp said her brother came to check on the situation and was attacked by her husband, who allegedly punched, bit, choked, and struck him with a dog leash. She claimed she and her father intervened to stop the fight. She also admitted to using a strobe light on her husband in an attempt to subdue him, knowing it might trigger a seizure, though she said it had no effect.
Deputies interviewed both men involved in the incident. Veerkamp’s brother said he was assaulted while trying to calm the situation and was punched multiple times and placed in a chokehold. Veerkamp’s husband confirmed being slapped by her, claimed she had struck him three times, and said the fight with her brother began when he tried to retrieve his service dog and was blocked.
Veerkamp was booked into the Lawrence County Jail. The sheriff’s department said additional charges against the other individuals involved are under review. Body camera footage and photographs from the scene have been submitted as part of the investigation.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
