INDIANAPOLIS — Three people have been criminally charged after a fight that erupted outside a hearing at the new Community Justice Campus left a man injured and a child with a black eye.
According to court records, it was around 1 p.m. on June 22 when when a sheriff’s deputy was notified by radio there was a panic alarm on the third floor that stemmed from a custody dispute.
When the deputy arrived, he found two men on the ground fighting and "covered in blood" and a woman standing over the two men yelling at them, court documents allege.
Prosecutors allege video from the justice center shows Darrell Jones, the biological father, had arrived with drinks and was calling the children over to him, according to a probable cause affidavit filed on June 24.
When Malik Glover tried to intervene, a struggle ensued over the child.
A woman then came out of a court room and began striking Jones in the face to try to get him to let go of the child.
The group began tussling over the child and pulling him roughly, prosecutors allege.
Jones then smashed a glass Yoo-Hoo bottle over Malik Glovers’ head, records show, before pushing Malik Glover to the floor and crawling on top ofhim.
Court records state Chastity Glover and her mother were trying to break up the fight and hold Jones when the deputy arrived on scene.
During the scuffle, the child sustained a black eye and small cut underneath his eye, records show.
Malik Glover suffered injuries to his neck and ear and was released from the hospital the evening of the incident.
When questioned by deputies, Jones stated there has been a long custody dispute between him and Chastity Glover, records show.
Darrell Jones is charged with aggravated battery causing serious permanent disfigurement as well as battery resulting in bodily injury to a person under 14, both felonies. Jones is scheduled for trial on October 24.
Malik Glover is charged with battery on a person less than 14 year old, a felony, and is scheduled for a jury trial on October 6.
Chastity Glover is charged with a misdemeanor—disorderly conduct: engages in fighting or tumultuous conduct.
No attorneys are listed for any of the suspects.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the incident and will be pursuing further criminal charges on all parties involved, according to the press release issued Tuesday.
“The blatant disregard for the sanctity of the Courts and the safety of those who visit the Community Justice Campus will not be tolerated,” Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal said.
WRTV Investigates has also reached out to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office about security measures in place at the new criminal justice center and we are still waiting to hear back.
The agency answered our questions in a statement:
Q: How many Deputies are assigned to the justice center per day, or per shift?
A: We cannot speak to the exact assignments and numbers of our Deputies here at the CJC, as that would compromise the integrity of our security measures.
Q: What was staffing like at the time of the incident?
A: We provide 24-hour security protection to the CJC campus hallways, lobby, courtrooms and parking lots with Deputy Sheriffs of the Homeland Security Division, part-time Facility Security Specialists and Deputy Sheriffs of the Reserve Division.
Q: Was there a Deputy Sheriff assigned to interior patrol and actively patrolling at the time of the incident?
A: Yes, we do so daily and responded appropriately while the incident was still in progress.
Q: Is there security dedicated OUTSIDE the courtrooms as well as inside?
A: Yes. See answers above.
Q: Is the MCSO fully staffed?
A: No. It should come as no surprise that the hiring practice of the MCSO is and has been a challenge due to many factors. This includes a pay scale that is not competitive in today’s market which has been compounded by Covid-19, many people not returning to the work force, and a lack of enthusiasm to join the ranks of law enforcement agencies that is occurring nationwide. We are always hiring.
Q: Is the public safe?
A: Yes. All members of the public are required to pass through security screening before entering the building. Although our Deputies cannot man every square inch of the campus at one time, we have a modern facility equipped with security surveillance systems that document any incident with greater resolution and in many more areas than were available in the former Courthouse and CCB. Those that decide to conduct in criminal behavior will not go undetected, arrests will be made, and criminal charges will be pursued.
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