Hunter
09/02/21
A Chicago man was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly assaulting the mother of his 8 month old child.
Police say 43-year-old Vernon Dortch was at the woman’s residence on the 900 block of 12th Avenue in Coralville just after 11pm and allegedly got into an argument with her. Dortch was reportedly throwing heavy glass items such as candles across the room next to the child, resulting in broken glass being scattered throughout the room.
Upon contact, Dortch alleged that he thought that the woman was either going to kiss him or bite him, so he bit her on the top list first. The woman had a swollen upper lip, visible redness, and marks on her face.
Dortch then got into his Chevrolet Impala and reportedly rammed the woman’s garage door, causing significant damage, then left northbound on 12th Avenue. He then returned to the scene because he forgot his phone, which is when police were able to do a traffic stop.
Dortch allegedly had bloodshot watery eyes, impaired speech, impaired balance, and had the odor of ingested alcohol. He reportedly admitted to drinking and showed measurable impairment on field testing. A PBT showed a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit, and a Datamaster test showed a .183 percent reading.
Dortch was taken into custody and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault Causing Injury, first offense OWI, and Child Endangerment. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to up to four years in prison.
A no-contact order was requested between the parties.