A man was taken into custody after a disturbance involving a juvenile led to allegations of assault in late November.
Marshall Police Department officers responded to a residence on November 27 after receiving a report of an active disturbance. When officers arrived, they spoke with three witnesses, the juvenile victim, and the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Carlos Sandoval-Hernandez.
Court documents indicate that Hernandez repeatedly interrupted officers while they attempted to gather statements. After being separated, witnesses told police that Hernandez allegedly jumped on top of the juvenile victim and began choking them with both hands. One witness said they tried to pull him away but were unable to stop the assault.
Another witness reported that when they attempted to call police, Hernandez took their phone, forcing them to seek help from a neighbor.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers were informed of prior incidents in which Hernandez allegedly assaulted both the witnesses and the juvenile victim. In one earlier case, he reportedly lifted the juvenile by their ears, causing injury.
During a post-Miranda interview, Hernandez denied assaulting the child. He claimed he only hugged the juvenile to calm them down and said he briefly took the witness’s phone to avoid further conflict, later returning it.
Hernandez was arrested at the scene and charged with Abuse or Neglect of a Child – No Sexual Contact. He was booked into the Saline County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
