A Jefferson man was arrested and charged with a felony for domestic abuse on Saturday.

According to the police report, just after midnight, a witness called the Law Enforcement Center about an alleged domestic abuse in the 400 block of East Harrison Street.  The witness told police that she also called for an ambulance for possible injuries to a female victim.

Officers spoke to the alleged suspect, 35 year-old Eric Bellinghausen. He says his girlfriend, jumped on him several times and was hurting him.  He told her to leave and take her kids with her to keep him from getting into trouble.  Bellinghausen says he then locked the door to the residence and didn’t harm the female.

After Greene County Emergency Medical Services took the victim to Greene County Medical Center for treatment, the woman told officers that she was involved in an argument with Bellinghausen.  She had locked herself in the bathroom of the residence, but Bellinghausen removed the door from its hinges and grabbed her by the throat, causing her to be choked for three to five seconds.  She then said Bellinghausen took her kids out to her car and dragged her by the ankles outside.  When she grabbed the door molding and wouldn’t go outside, Bellinghausen then grabbed her by her hair and dragged her out.

The report states that the victim had bruises on her arms and elbows and a bump on the back of her head.

Bellinghausen was arrested and charged with a Class D Felony for Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Air/Blood Flow.  Police Chief Dave Morlan says he has since been released from the Greene County Jail.