Laporte County
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Austin Scott Woodham, 32, of La Porte, has been charged in LaPorte Circuit Court after court documents allege he battered a household member with a knife, threatened to kill her, confined her inside an apartment, and caused additional injuries the following day.  

According to the probable cause affidavit, officers were dispatched at approximately 3:56 p.m. on April 3, 2026, to an apartment in the 400 block of Jefferson Avenue for a welfare check. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the woman and Woodham inside the residence.

The woman reported that Woodham had headbutted her in the front and back of her head and struck her on the left side of her face with a closed fist prior to officers arriving. Officers observed blood coming from her left ear, bruising to her top lip, and redness to her left eyebrow believed to have been caused by Woodham headbutting her.  

Court documents state Woodham denied hitting her and claimed the injuries were self-inflicted. He was taken into custody at that time.

While at the hospital, the woman disclosed that on April 2, 2026, Woodham threatened to kill her and pressed a knife against her neck. According to court documents, Woodham told her he was going to kill her while holding a butcher knife with a black plastic handle to her neck.  

The woman reported Woodham pressed the knife against her neck because he believed she had brought someone into the apartment. She showed red marks on her neck that appeared consistent with a knife blade.

Court documents state that approximately 20 minutes before that incident, the woman attempted to leave the residence because she was “done” with Woodham. She reported Woodham prevented her from leaving, threw her onto a couch, and grabbed her, causing a bruise on her arm.  

She further reported that Woodham held a paring knife in her mouth and later placed both knives back into a block in the kitchen.

During a search of the residence, court documents state a butcher knife matching the description provided was located, along with a second knife in the kitchen sink. A reddish-brown stain consistent with blood was also located on a ceiling area near the kitchen and later tested positive as blood.  

Court records show bond was set at $15,000 cash only.  

Lodged in the Laporte County Jail.

Charges filed April 6,2026:

    •    Domestic Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon – Level 5 Felony

    •    Intimidation: Defendant draws or uses a deadly weapon – Level 5 Felony

    •    Criminal Confinement – Level 6 Felony

    •    Domestic Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury – Level 6 Felony

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