Man Charged With Multiple Felonies After Overnight Strangulation In Front of Children
On Saturday, February 1, 2025, around 2:34 AM, Gary Police responded to the 2400 block of Waverly in reference to a domestic battery, according to a probable cause affidavit filed.
Officers arrived on scene and spoke to a woman who stated she was sprayed with mace while holding her child and then strangled & hit numerous times to the point of losing consciousness. After she lost consciousness her boyfriend took her 3 small children ages 4, 5, and 6 before he fled the area. The boyfriend also took the woman’s phone so she was not able to call for help.
When the woman gained consciousness she reportedly began knocking on neighbors doors for help. Police and Gary Fire arrived to transport the woman to the hospital for treatment.
A short time later a call came into Gary Police for assistance on the 400 block of Taney in reference to a man with 3 small children knocking on a door. When officers got to the area they saw a male walking with 3 small children in an alley. The children who were not dressed for the weather were placed into the back of the police car with the male. Officers then asked the male to step out of the car to which he began not to comply. Officers forcefully removed the male and placed him into cuffs. While being searched the male was found to have 12 grams of Marijuana in his possession. The male was transported to Gary Police Department and the 3 children were transported to a hospital to be checked out due to them not having proper clothes on for the weather.
Doctors at the hospital advised that the two youngest children had severe hypothermia and one was sprayed with mace during the incident.
The male suspect has since been identified as Anthony Townsell, 32, of Gary.
Townsell has been preliminary charged with Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury a level 5 felony, 2 counts of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury a level 5 felony, Domestic Battery committed in the presence of a child less than 16 years old a level 6 felony, Neglect of a Dependent places dependent in situation that endangers a level 6 felony, Strangulation a level 6 felony, and 2 misdemeanor charges of Possession of Marijuana and Criminal Recklessness.
