On June 24, 2026, deputies arrested two individuals at Ryanwood Apartments as a result of an alleged domestic dispute. Both were charged with simple battery-family violence and third-degree cruelty to children as a result.
A sheriff’s office report says that at 3:44 p.m., two officers responded to the complex after a domestic incident was reported. One officer spoke with the male, Matthew Christian Baldridge, 47, of Douglas, while the other officer spoke with Ashley Brooke Anthony, 30, formerly of Broxton. The two of them have a child together and Anthony had been staying at Baldridge’s apartment.
In the report, Anthony stated that she and Baldridge had been out Door Dashing that day. When they returned home, she said that Baldridge “started freaking out and cussing her out because she left a pack of crackers in the bedroom,” the report states. Ultimately, Anthony said she started down the stairs. At that point, the report says, Baldridge threw a laundry basket full of clothes and hit her in the back. As a result, the report states, she fell down the last few steps.
According to the report, Baldridge stated that the two began arguing after they returned from Door Dashing. He said he told her to get her things and leave. He admitted to throwing a laundry basket at her, the report says, but he said it didn’t hit her.
Deputies continued investigating and discovered that Baldridge did throw the laundry basket at Anthony and it did hit her, the report says. But, it states, Anthony ran back up the stairs and pushed Baldridge.
During the investigation, officers also learned that allegedly there are inappropriate photos on a laptop at the apartment.
Both Baldridge and Anthony were arrested and charged with simple battery – family violence and cruelty to children in the third degree. They were booked into the Coffee County Jail and later released on $500 property bonds for each charge.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
