A woman who was being held captive for days in Louisiana had part of her face bit off by her captor when she tried to escape, authorities revealed.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release that Brandon Patrick was arrested on Friday, January 30, after he was involved in “a gruesome domestic violence” incident with the victim in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
The alleged assault was initially believed to have taken place on January 27. However, investigators later learned that the dispute between Patrick, 31, and his victim – whose name has not been publicly shared – started days earlier and continued into the following weekend.
Authorities claimed that the woman was held against her will over several days, and when she attempted to get away from him and leave the residence, Patrick allegedly tried to stop her by biting her face.
Police said that the woman was eventually able to escape. She is currently hospitalized and is undergoing treatment for the extensive injuries she sustained while she was held captive.
Patrick has been charged with domestic abuse battery with serious bodily injury and false imprisonment, according to the news release. Authorities added that the investigation into the matter is ongoing, and Patrick may receive more charges once the investigation is completed.
It is not currently clear if he has entered a plea or retained legal representation following his arrest.
Police have also not shared how Patrick knew the victim prior to the incident.
Before Patrick was captured, the police department said in a prior press release the suspect was considered dangerous. Authorities noted that he has an identical twin, though he could be identified by his distinctive identifying marks that include “an old stab wound on his right hand, a half-sleeve tattoo on his left arm featuring a house and scroll and a full sleeve of tattoos on his right arm.”
Police have asked that anyone with information on the case contact the Criminal Investigations Office at 985-902-2088. Those who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com.
In Louisiana, a serious bodily injury charge is given when the defendant injures the victim to the extent of being unconscious, experiencing extreme physical pain, causing them protracted and obvious disfigurement, loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ or mental faculty, or creating a substantial risk of death, according to the Louisiana Legislature.
Additionally, the serious bodily injury charge can also include “injury resulting from starvation or malnutrition.”
If Patrick is found guilty of the serious bodily injury charge, he could be sentenced to serve up to 15 years in prison, as well as be ordered to pay a fine up to $10,000.
Meanwhile, those found guilty of false imprisonment in Louisiana are often ordered to pay a fine of up to $200, are sentenced to a maximum of six months in prison or both.
In Louisiana, false imprisonment is defined as the “intentional confinement or detention of another, without his consent and without proper legal authority,” according to the Louisiana Legislature.
