A Rossville man was arrested for first-degree cruelty to children, among other charges, on Feb. 11.

According to the Walker County Sheriff’s Office:

Douglas Shawn Loftin, 33, of Homeplace Road was arrested for battery, false imprisonment, and cruelty to children to cause excessive physical or mental pain.

Loftin allegedly became physical after his wife discussed leaving him, which led to a verbal argument between the two.

Loftin would not let the woman leave and grabbed her in a chokehold, further escalating the situation.

She met with deputies afterward to report the incident. The woman also informed authorities of the physical abuse that her daughter had sustained.

The girl and her mother recounted how Loftin had struck the child two weeks prior in the back with a “large wooden paddle that resembled a badminton racket” that left a bruise.

Officers advised her of the procedure to obtain a temporary protective order in the event he would return.

Loftin denies harming either female and was released the following day.