Ravens WR Rashod Bateman arrested on family violence charges in Georgia
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman, 26, is facing multiple misdemeanor charges following a family violence incident that took place back in June in the state of Georgia.
According to the Walton County Sheriff's Office, Bateman was arrested on June 3 on reckless conduct, battery, and criminal property damage charges.
Charging documents obtained by WJZ detail allegations that Bateman smashed the windows of the vehicle belonging to the mother of his child while their 3-month-old baby was inside.
Details of the incident
Bateman's baby mother reported the incident to the Walton County Sheriff's Office around 6 a.m. on June 3. Bateman later surrendered himself to officers on that same day.
According to the charging document, the Ravens wide receiver used an object to break the windshield and driver's side window of his baby mother's vehicle during an altercation.
He also allegedly used a screwdriver to attempt to puncture the woman's driver-side rear tire.
The responding officer witnessed multiple small cuts to the victim's face along with multiple bruises that were allegedly caused during the initial dispute.
Bateman's 3-month-old child was present during the altercation, sitting in a car seat behind the driver. Officers say they found glass in the child's hair and in the car seat.
Ravens issue statement on Bateman's arrest
According to WJZ's media partner, The Banner, a court lifted a no-contact order against Bateman after he and the mother of his child requested to speak to one another. Once Bateman completes a family violence intervention program, the conditions of the order will be modified from "no contact" to "no violent contact".
"We are aware of the situation involving Rashod and have been in direct communication with him. We notified the league office and have been cooperating throughout the process," The Baltimore Ravens stated. "As this is a pending legal matter, we will not have further comment."
Bateman's personal lawyer, Jordan Siev, also responded to WJZ's request for comment, saying, "It is unfortunate that a personal family situation has been taken completely out of context for sensational reasons. We will let the court process play out, and the facts will come out at that time."
Bateman is liable to receive a baseline unpaid suspension of at least six games if he faces discipline under the NFL's personal conduct policy. The policy also states that committing an offense in the presence of a child could warrant warrant a longer suspension.