By Pat Culverhouse

Attacking a companion with a leather belt has landed a Minden woman in the parish jail looking at a domestic abuse charge.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said Marlicia Sims, 27, a resident of the 400 block of Gum St., is officially charged with domestic abuse battery with child endangerment. McIver said officers learned two infants were inside the residence when the alleged incident occurred.

Responding officers reportedly found Sims’ companion with a torn shirt, scratched arms and welts on his chest and back caused by alleged strikes with a leather belt. Officers were told during interviews that the pair began arguing when Sims allegedly returned home in the early morning hours Sunday.

A struggle reportedly ensued when Sims pulled a sleeping baby from the arms of her companion. Officers said Sims claimed she grabbed the belt to protect herself, but no marks were observed on her body.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.