Man Hid in the Home of His Child’s Mother While Cops Visited. Then, He Beat and Strangled Her When They Left

A man has been sentenced to prison for hiding in the home of the mother of his child, beating and strangling her after police visited the residence. The perpetrator, identified as Nathan James Sumpter, 28, from Oroville, California, violated a restraining order by going to the victim’s home on the evening of July 8, as detailed in a media release from the Butte County District Attorney’s Office.

According to the District Attorney’s office, Sumpter hid in the woman’s home while law enforcement officers were present, threatening the victim and her family to prevent her from reporting his presence. Once the police had left, Sumpter proceeded to physically assault the victim, punching her in the face and strangling her. The violence escalated the following morning when Sumpter strangled the victim to the point of unconsciousness and stomped on her face in the presence of their two-year-old child.

In a panic, Sumpter called the victim’s aunt when she became unresponsive before fleeing the scene. The victim was later taken to a local hospital for treatment of a fractured eye socket. Further investigations led to Sumpter’s arrest by Oroville Police for his actions. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey highlighted the severity of the domestic violence incident, calling the assault and strangulation a demonstration of the insidious nature of such abuse that often goes unseen behind closed doors.

Sumpter faced charges including assault likely to produce great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury and dissuading a witness, according to Butte County public records. He entered a no-contest plea and was subsequently sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for the crimes committed. The Butte County District Attorney’s Office did not respond immediately to requests for comments on the case, nor did Sumpter’s legal representation.

Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue affecting individuals and families, with resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline available for support and assistance. The hotline, accessible at 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org, offers toll-free and confidential services in over 170 languages, operating 24/7 to aid those in need of help and guidance in situations of domestic abuse.

Incidents of domestic violence like the one involving Nathan James Sumpter underscore the ongoing need for awareness, prevention, and intervention in cases of intimate partner violence. The consequences of such actions can have lasting impacts on victims and their families, necessitating a collective effort to address and combat instances of abuse within communities. As the legal process unfolds in cases like Sumpter’s, the importance of accountability and justice in handling domestic violence cases remains paramount in ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected.