Benton man charged with domestic assault

BENTON -- A Benton man is in custody for domestic assault and child endangerment.

According to a release from Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, Darrell Joseph Benish, 25, was charged with the Class A Misdemeanor of third degree domestic assault and the Class A misdemeanor of endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree.

Walter states that at 6:26 p.m. Tuesday, Deputy John Caudle responded to State Highway H, just south of State Highway C in reference to a domestic assault.

Caudle met with the female victim who was walking on the side of the roadway. The victim stated she had been riding in the vehicle with her husband, identified as Benish, and three children.

The woman stated Benish started driving erratically, then ran a stop sign at the intersection of Salcedo and North Ingram in Sikeston, with another vehicle almost striking theirs. She stated that Benish continued to drive at a high rate of speed even though she told him to slow down.

The woman said she attempted to call police, but that Benish took her phone and then struck her left arm with his elbow during a struggle over the phone. She told deputies she feared for her safety and the safety of the children. Benish then put her out of the vehicle on Highway H and left with the children.

Caudle was still talking with the victim when Benish arrived back on Highway H with the children still in the vehicle. He denied the assault and stated he had not been driving erratically. The victim said she didn't want to press charges against her husband, however, Caudle believed there was probable cause to arrest Benish for the crimes.

Benish remains in custody in the Scott County Jail with the bond set at $1,000 cash or surety.