BEDFORD — A local woman was arrested following a domestic dispute late last month in which she allegedly struck and squeezed the abdomen of a pregnant family member, according to Lawrence County Police Department records.
Mikayla Ryan-Chronister, 29, of Bedford, faces preliminary charges of domestic battery resulting in bodily injury to a pregnant family member where the pregnancy is known, and intimidation.
Lawrence County deputies responded to a third-party report of a domestic battery on the evening of Sept. 27 at an apartment in the first block of Maple Ridge. Dispatch advised that a family member had witnessed the altercation via a video call and contacted authorities.
According to the affidavit, officers met with the victim outside the residence. The victim told police that she and Ryan-Chronister had been arguing for several days after discovering the victim was pregnant. Investigators reported that witnesses, including a third party who observed portions of the incident via video, stated Ryan-Chronister struck and squeezed the victim’s stomach and made threats regarding the unborn child.
The victim was transported by emergency medical services to IU Health Bedford for evaluation. Hospital staff later confirmed the pregnancy with no initial indications of severe injury to the victim or the unborn child, according to the report.
Officers Letsinger and A. McKinley investigated the incident. Ryan-Chronister was not located at the scene upon police arrival.
A warrant was issued, and Ryan-Chronister was taken into custody on Oct. 9.
Charges represent allegations, and Ryan-Chronister is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
