Portage Man Arrested After Violent Domestic Incident; Multiple Juveniles Injured
PORTAGE — A Portage man faces multiple felony charges after police say he assaulted several juveniles during a violent domestic disturbance Friday night.
According to Portage Police reports, officers were dispatched around 9:23 p.m. on November 1, 2025, to the 200 block of Wade Place for a disturbance involving a father and his 14-year-old son. Dispatchers advised the caller reported the father was actively punching the child.
When officers arrived, they found multiple juveniles in the street with visible facial injuries. The suspect, John Scott, 37, had already fled the scene on foot.
While officers tended to the injured juveniles, a K-9 unit began tracking the suspect. Scott was eventually located hiding underneath a trailer near Old Porter Road. Officers ordered him to come out, and after several commands and assistance from K-9 “Bane,” Scott was taken into custody.
Police said Scott was bleeding from his mouth and face and appeared highly intoxicated, later admitting to drinking several bottles of Jack Daniels throughout the day. Officers also noted signs of recent methamphetamine and alcohol use.
Investigators reported that Scott had come into the home intoxicated and became argumentative before attacking his 14-year-old son and other juveniles who tried to intervene. Several victims sustained bruising, swelling, and lacerations to their faces and necks.
A small amount of suspected marijuana was recovered from Scott during his arrest.
Authorities confirmed there was an active protective order prohibiting Scott from being at the Wade Place residence due to a previous conviction.
Scott was medically cleared at Northwest Health – Portage before being transported to the Porter County Jail.
He is facing the following preliminary charges:
• Multiple counts of Domestic Battery with Injury (Level 5 & 6 Felonies)
• Domestic Battery in the Presence of a Child (Level 6 Felony)
• Invasion of Privacy with a Prior Conviction (Level 6 Felony)
• Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor)
