Woman Escapes After Ex-Boyfriend Allegedly Held Her Hostage for Three Days. Police Say He Wanted Her Phone Password
A phone password is usually private. But police say one Kentucky woman was allegedly held against her will after refusing to unlock her phone for her ex-boyfriend. What started while she was walking down the street allegedly turned into three days of violence and threats.
Even after a relationship ends, violence involving an ex-partner can put someone in a dangerous situation. According to Law&Crime, 32-year-old Joshua T. Hawthorne is now facing several charges after his ex-girlfriend allegedly spent days trapped with him.
But getting away from a former partner reportedly came down to one brief opportunity. Police say that opening finally came during an ordinary trip to Walmart, three days after the alleged ordeal began.
This Took a Disturbing Turn
On Aug. 23, the woman was walking in Louisville, Kentucky, when Hawthorne allegedly pulled up beside her and forced her into his car. According to an arrest citation, he then drove away before pulling over and allegedly punching her in the face and strangling her.
The woman was Hawthorne’s ex-girlfriend. Authorities say he eventually drove her to his home in St. Matthews, Kentucky, just east of Louisville. Once inside, he allegedly dragged her into a closet and left her restrained there for about an hour.
Police say Hawthorne later took her out of the closet, cut her hair and clothes, and dragged her by her ankles into a different room. The alleged violence did not end there. Authorities claim Hawthorne then turned his attention to her phone and ordered her to unlock it.
When she refused to give him access, Hawthorne allegedly struck the phone with a gun. Police say he then pointed the firearm directly at her face. He later locked the bedroom door and stayed next to her for the rest of the night, leaving her unable to freely leave the room, according to the arrest citation.
The situation allegedly continued for the next several days. Then, three days after the woman was first forced into the car, Hawthorne reportedly decided to go to the store. He ordered his ex-girlfriend to come with him, according to authorities.
Hawthorne drove them to a Walmart market. Once they arrived, he reportedly went inside the store while leaving the woman alone in the vehicle. After allegedly being kept with him for days, she suddenly had an opportunity to get away without Hawthorne beside her.
The woman reportedly managed to escape from the vehicle and find help. The Louisville Metro Police Department was contacted soon afterward, and officers began investigating what had allegedly happened since she was first forced into Hawthorne’s car.
Her injuries also became part of the investigation. Police reportedly found that the woman had a black eye, bruises, and a cut on her ankle. She told investigators that Hawthorne had also threatened to kill her during the alleged three-day ordeal.
Hawthorne was arrested on Wednesday following the investigation. He was expected to be arraigned the following day, according to reports.
He now faces several charges, including first-degree assault tied to domestic violence, kidnapping of an adult, and first-degree strangulation tied to domestic violence. Hawthorne has also been charged with first-degree wanton endangerment and third-degree terroristic threatening.
Jail records also show that Hawthorne was charged with violating an interpersonal protective order. That charge comes in addition to the accusations stemming from what authorities say happened during the three days his ex-girlfriend was allegedly unable to get away.
The charges against Hawthorne are allegations. He has not been convicted in connection with the case.
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