A Schuylkill County man is facing felony charges after police allege he choked a woman and pushed her to the ground while she was holding a 3-week-old infant.
Shykir Bethea, 28, of West Brunswick Township, is charged with endangering the welfare of children, strangulation, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, and harassment.
He was released from the Schuylkill County Prison on Tuesday after posting bond on $15,000 bail.
State Police say they responded to a home in West Brunswick Township shortly after 11 p.m. on June 5 for a reported physical altercation.
According to police, a woman said she was upstairs rocking her 3-week-old child to sleep when Bethea confronted her. Police say Bethea had gone through the woman’s phone downstairs believing that another man was messaging her.
Police allege Bethea grabbed the woman by the throat for approximately five seconds, making her unable to breathe. The woman told police she was holding the infant in her left hand at the time of the incident.
The woman walked downstairs to get away from Bethea, but he followed her and became more aggressive, she says. Bethea then pushed the woman with both hands, sending her “flying to the ground” while she was still holding the infant.
The woman told police she was able to hold onto the baby without the child being injured, and she then put the infant down to get the child out of harm’s way.
Bethea then attempted to bite the woman’s left arm, prompting her to scratch his face in self-defense, she says. Police say Bethea was unsuccessful in biting the woman but he then grabbed her right arm three times and twisted it behind her.
Prior to leaving the residence for an unknown location, Bethea tried to take the child, but the woman prevented him from doing so, police say.
Police say there was a red mark on the right side of the woman’s neck. They later contacted Bethea by phone that night and asked him to return to the residence to provide his side of the story. Bethea said he would return as he was in Minersville at the time. He was eventually apprehended.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 23.
Schuylkill County Crisis & Support Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, free, confidential, and inclusive help is available 24/7 in Schuylkill County.
- Schuylkill Hope Center (Domestic Violence): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 622-6220, text HOPELINE to 20121, or visit schopecenter.org. Services include emergency shelter, housing assistance, counseling, and legal representation.
- SARCC (Sexual Assault): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 628-2965 or visit sarccheals.org for counseling, advocacy, and healing support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Outside Schuylkill County: Residents across Pennsylvania can find their local domestic violence program at pcadv.org. You can also visit domesticshelters.org to find resources near you.
More From Coal Region Canary
See all stories ›
Flood Watch Issued for Schuylkill County on Thursday
5 hours ago
Nabholz Has Allowed Just 1 Earned Run in 5 Appearances Since Promotion to Eugene
12 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Used Brother’s Name During Traffic Stop Because He’d Been Sentenced to Jail for Driving on a Suspended License
13 hours ago
Barton Cards Sub-70 Round to Pace Haven; Blue Mountain Sweeps Tri-Match
15 hours ago
PennDOT to Host Winter Job Fair in Schuylkill County
17 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Wanted After Police Say He Traded Nude Photos With 16-Year-Old
18 hours agoSubscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...