Abelardo (Abel) Lopez, 26, who was out on bond in Coffee County on an aggravated assault charge, is back in jail in Montgomery County for reportedly committing the same offense. According to the report, Lopez assaulted and “severely beat” his wife, a Douglas native, which led to her receiving severe injuries that required hospitalization, including multiple fractures, bruises, and a break in her cervical spine, late last year.
According to a copy of a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office report, the victim, a 25-year-old female, called 911 to report that she had been assaulted by her husband, Lopez. When the officer arrived, the victim stated that she and Lopez had been having problems but that he still stayed at her residence.
The victim reported that Lopez initially verbally attacked her, then became violent, pouring a full pot of hot coffee over her head and then breaking several glasses. The report states that Lopez then physically assaulted her by beating her in the head and whipping her with a belt, leaving bruises. He also allegedly punched and choked the victim during the assault.
According to the victim, before Lopez left the residence, he “made her clean the mess he made in the kitchen.” The officer noted that he took photos of the victim’s injuries. The officer made contact with Lopez, who he said admitted to beating and whipping his wife, pouring coffee on her, and breaking her cell phone. He told Lopez that he was taking warrants out due to his actions and that he needed to turn himself in to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. He also advised Lopez not to have any further contact with the victim.
The report states that the victim contacted her parents in Coffee County, a listed witness, and another friend. The victim’s parents agreed to pick her up, and the other two individuals arrived at the residence and began assisting the victim in gathering her belongings. The officer stated that he was waiting at his truck when one of the victim’s friends walked out and said the victim had passed out and was unconscious.
They contacted EMS and the officer found the victim lying on her left side on the floor. She was unconscious and did not have a pulse. The officer began CPR. After one chest compression, the victim regained consciousness.
EMS arrived and transported the victim to Meadows Hospital. The victim was later transported to a hospital in Savannah and possibly had two fractures in her neck.
According to the officer, he later received a text message from Lopez, who claimed self-defense for his actions. Lopez did not turn himself in the following day and reportedly fled from law enforcement until officers caught him five days later. According to a source, when Lopez was found, he had cut several inches off his hair in an attempt to avoid his arrest.
Medical professionals later life-flighted the victim to Macon due to complications from a spinal cord injury. She was in the hospital for a total of twelve days receiving treatment for her injuries, which included a bilateral C6 lamina fracture (a broken C6 cervical spine), closed fractures in her larynx, trachea, and hyoid bone, various stages of bruising on her body, and tenderness to her face and chest. She has since been discharged and is recovering.
Lopez was charged with aggravated assault and is currently in the Montgomery County Jail. He has a scheduled bond hearing on February 23.
In 2021, Lopez was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission or attempt to commit a felony after he allegedly shot a gun at his wife. He was released on a $15,000 property bond in September 2022.
According to a document filed in the Superior Court of Coffee County, the bondsman in Lopez’s local case has come off his bond since his new arrest. If granted release in Montgomery County, Lopez would be booked back into the Coffee County Jail.