Okaloosa deputies: Baker man charged after breaking into home to beat woman

A Baker woman who says she left her home November 16th to escape her abusive boyfriend says he showed up at a house where she was staying early this morning and beat her with a stick, according to sheriff's officials in Okaloosa County.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged 26-year old Joseph Fleming with two counts of aggravated battery with a weapon (one domestic violence related) and burglary.

25-year old Jadian Hatfield says Fleming repeatedly grabbed, pushed and slapped her at their home on Highway 189 in Baker on November 16th.

She left and went to stay with a friend on Pickens Circle.

Shortly after midnight that morning, Hatfield says Fleming forced his way into the house and began hitting her and her friend on their heads with a stick.

Hatfield was taken to North Okaloosa Medical Center where she was treated and released.

Deputies say along an injury to her head, her body was also covered with contusions on both legs, around her waist line, on her torso and both arms.

Deputies also charged 31-year old Athena Jeanell Griffith of Crestview with battery and burglary.

They say Griffith went to the Pickens Circle home with Fleming and hit Hatfield in the upper chest and neck area.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Okaloosa deputies: Baker man charged after breaking into home to beat woman