A Centralia man was charged in Lewis County Superior Court Wednesday after allegedly assaulting the mother of his child.
Earl Lance Rahn IV, 21, faces one count of second-degree assault, domestic violence. The Class B felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by prosecutors, a Centralia Police Department officer responded Aug. 3 to an assault that had taken place at the Centralia Inn. The suspect had reportedly left in a black Porsche.
After observing a Porsche in the area, the officer contacted the victim and noted swelling around her left eye. He then located Rahn, the driver of the Porsche.
Rahn described acting in self-defense after the woman allegedly hit him, saying she would not let him leave. Rahn indicated the woman was the mother of his child. The victim later verified their relationship.
According to court documents, Rahn later changed his story to say that he hit her when he was trying to move her, and said that the victim’s brother had witnessed the altercation.
The victim described sitting in front of the bathroom door while Rahn was in the bathroom. She was holding her approximately 9-month-old child at the time. According to the victim, Rahn grabbed her around the collar of her shirt and proceeded to slam her to the ground and hit her twice on the face.
When interviewed, the victim’s brother reportedly described the same version of events.
According to court documents, Rahn was initially placed under arrest for fourth-degree assault, but, after learning that the victim had been diagnosed with a concussion, and that her injuries appeared worse the following day, the charge was upgraded to second-degree assault.
Rahn has no prior felony convictions, but is still on bench probation for a misdemeanor assault conviction involving his mother. During his preliminary appearance on Aug. 6, defence attorney Rachael Tiller relayed Rahn’s frustration with the charge, saying that Rahn has contacted law enforcement multiple times for help and that the victim does not allow him to leave.
Judge Paul Strophy noted that the alleged victim was holding a child during the incident, and that her injuries were severe enough to cause a concussion.
The judge set bail at $50,000. Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14.
