BEDFORD – On Wednesday, August 21, a domestic dispute in Bedford escalated into a concerning incident involving a child, leading to charges being filed against the father.
The Bedford Police Department responded to a call at approximately 8:34 p.m. from an apartment on Day Court. Upon arrival, officers encountered Darrell Martin Hildum, 34, and his wife, who were involved in a heated argument that had turned physical.
According to the affidavit filed by Captain Dakoda Emmons, the dispute centered around the couple’s child. Both parties provided conflicting accounts of the incident, but witnesses reported that the child was caught in the middle of a physical struggle between the parents.
A woman who was present at the scene stated in a recorded interview that she observed the mother grabbing the child and falling backward, potentially endangering the child’s safety. She described a chaotic scene where the child appeared distressed during the altercation.
Admissions of substance abuse further complicated the situation. Darrell Hildum reportedly told officers that both he and the mother were under the influence of unprescribed Xanax, with Darrell also admitting to using Suboxone.
As a result of the incident, the Department of Child Services was contacted, and a caseworker arrived on the scene. The child was temporarily placed in the custody of the grandmother.
The mother complained of injuries and was transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital for a medical evaluation after becoming ill at the scene.
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, and a warrant was issued for Hildum’s arrest on charges of domestic battery in the presence of a minor and neglect of a dependent.
