Malden, Mo., man allegedly beats wife for week in home

MALDEN, Mo. -- A Malden man is facing felony charges for allegedly holding his wife against her will in their home and beating her for a week.

Lonnie D. Campbell, 35, was arrested Sept. 3 by the Malden Police Department after the woman apparently escaped and reported the attack to officers at the police station.

"Mrs. Campbell stated that Lonnie had tied her up with shoe strings and punched her numerous times in the face, mid-torso and her back," said Malden police chief Jerrod Bullock. "Apparently she has also made statements that he choked her, hit her several times with a belt in the back, and hit her in the back of her head with a hammer."

During the interview, officers reported observing several bruises and cuts on her head, face, arms, legs and chest.

"She said that every time she would try to leave, Mr. Campbell would restrain her again and keep her from leaving the residence," Bullock said.

The hammer allegedly used to hit the victim was reportedly recovered by officers during a search of the home.

Formal charges were filed by the Dunklin County prosecuting attorney Sept. 4.

According to Case.net, Campbell is charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and kidnapping, all of which are felonies. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing before Judge John C. Spielman at 1 p.m. Friday.

"He was a youth minister of a church in Malden -- I don't know if he still he is, but he was at one time," said Darian Egan of Malden, the victim's brother. "I just hope he gets a long time in prison."

The woman was treated at a local hospital for her injuries and released.

"Domestic violence is increasing everywhere -- it's an unfortunate sign of the times, I guess," Bullock said. "It's just happening all the time; it's ridiculous."