A 54-year-old Bloomfield man was arrested Aug. 14 on charges of domestic battery after allegedly striking his father in the face.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Caleb Sipes arrested Steven Shane Arthur for domestic battery after responding to a call on South Jefferson Street in Bloomfield at 4:40 p.m. on Aug. 14.

Upon arrival at the residence, Deputy Sipes spoke with Arthur’s father who alleged Arthur “took a swing” at him, hitting him in his left cheek. According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim told Sipes he had been attempting to remove a hair follicle from a dog and had asked Arthur for assistance. The victim alleged Arthur, who lives in a camper behind his residence, had been drinking all day and was “too drunk” to provide adequate assistance. He said there was no argument, Arthur simply struck him in the face.

Deputy Sipes spoke with a female witness via phone who, according to the victim, left the scene. According to the probable cause affidavit, she said the victim wanted Arthur to help hold a dog so he could remove a hair follicle; however, Arthur wasn’t listening. She told the officer she saw Arthur swing at the victim.

Deputy Sipes and Deputy Michael Stanley presented at Arthur’s residence and announced themselves. Arthur gave them permission to enter the residence. When asked what happened between him and the victim, Arthur alleged he did not know anything had happened. According to the probable cause affidavit, while speaking with Arthur, Deputy Sipes noticed slurred speech and could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. Deputy Stanley asked Arthur if he had been helping the victim with a dog. Arthur said there was a dog on the property; however, he did not say anything about helping the victim with it.

When Deputy Sipes informed Arthur of the victim’s allegations, he alleged he had been inside sleeping. Arthur used his cell phone to call the female victim Deputy Sipes had spoken to earlier and placed the call on speaker. When he asked the female if he hit his dad, she told him he did. He alleged he did not. The witness alleged he did not remember the incident, stating he was having one of his “blackouts”. After ending the call, he again called the witness who again explained what had happened.

When escorting Arthur to the patrol vehicle, he said multiple times that he wanted to “do a breathalyzer”. Deputy Stanley completed a portable breath test with a result of .162.

He was transported to Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $1,000 surety with 10% cash allowed.

He appeared in Greene Superior Court on Aug. 21. He has been charged with domestic battery, a Class A Misdemeanor.