A man is now in custody on two charges following an alleged domestic dispute, with one of the offenses carrying a life sentence if convicted. The suspect, Perry Forest, allegedly broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend and began punching her while she was asleep.
According to a report obtained from the Douglas Police Department, officers were dispatched to a local residence regarding a dispute involving a baseball bat. When officers arrived, they spoke to a woman who claimed that she and her ex-boyfriend had just gotten into an argument.
The victim reported that she was sleeping when Forest walked into her room and began hitting her. She stated that they had recently broken up and she was with another individual when Forest came into her room.
Forrest allegedly punched her in the mouth and bit her at some point during the dispute. The officer also noted observing where the victim’s mouth was busted and bleeding. He then asked her about a baseball bat and she explained that she grabbed it to defend herself.
The officer went into the bedroom and reported seeing blood on the wall beside the door and on the floor. He also asked the victim about her finger after noticing that it was bleeding, already bruising, and appeared to possibly be broken.
According to the officer’s report, he asked the victim if she needed EMS to come to the location and she stated no. He told her that if her finger was broken to call him and let him know. She then told him that she had lived with Forest in the past but that he had moved out of the home about a week prior. She stated that he had also taken all of his belongings and did not have a key to the residence.
The male, who was also at the home when the incident occurred, stated that he was sleeping when he woke up to see Forest hitting the woman. He said that Forest did not hit him.
As the investigation was being conducted, officers learned that Forest had previously kicked in one of the doors and that it was nailed shut. The officer stated that he then saw where the far rear door appeared to have been pried open with a screwdriver. He took the victim to the door and she stated that the markings were new.
Forest was transported to the Coffee County Jail on charges of battery and home invasion – family violence, an offense that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He is still currently incarcerated.