Benton man charged with domestic assault

BENTON, Mo. -- A Benton man is in custody on suspicion of domestic assault and child endangerment.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter reported in a news release that Darrell Joseph Benish, 25, was charged with third-degree domestic assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors.

Walter said deputy John Caudle responded to Route H, just south of Route C, for a reported a domestic assault at 6:26 p.m. Tuesday.

Caudle met with the female victim, who was walking on the side of the roadway. The victim stated she had been riding in the vehicle with her husband, identified as Benish, and three children.

The woman said Benish started driving erratically, then ran a stop sign at East Salcedo and North Ingram roads in Sikeston, Missouri, with another vehicle almost striking theirs. She said Benish continued to drive at a high rate of speed, even though she told him to slow down.

The woman said she tried to call police, but Benish took her phone and struck her left arm with his elbow during a struggle over the phone. She told deputies she feared for the safety of her and the children. Benish put her out of the vehicle on Highway H and left with the children.

Caudle still was talking with the alleged victim when Benish arrived back on Route H with the children in the vehicle. He denied the assault and said he had not been driving erratically.

The victim said she didn't want to press charges against her husband. However, Caudle believed there was probable cause to arrest Benish.