Sheriff: Man arrested after assaulting woman in front of children | Crime

The Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office arrested a Springfield man they say beat a 45-year-old woman with a piece of wood in front of their kids.

Deputies arrested and charged 40-year-old Michael Patterson with attempted murder.

According to the report, officers responded to a Skyland Drive home shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and located a woman lying on the ground with visible trauma to her face.

Deputies say Patterson was released from jail on Sunday for assaulting the victim in December 2012.

The report said Patterson went straight to the victim’s home to collect some personal belongings.

While at the home, the victim and Patterson began to argue.

Deputies say that’s when Patterson struck the victim in her face and dragged her to the yard where he continued to punch her.

During the beating, Patterson picked up a piece of wood from the front porch and continued striking the victim while their children watched, the report stated.

According to sheriff’s deputies, the two adults who brought Patterson to the victim’s home drove him away before authorities arrived.

“The assault this victim suffered, a second time by the hands of Patterson, is senseless,” said Sheriff Leroy Ravenell.  “And for him to beat her so severely in front of their children shows what kind of man he really is. To everyone that knows Michael Patterson or has information about his whereabouts, you would serve this community well by contacting authorities immediately and sending him back to jail.”

The children are being cared for by a family member.

Deputies say Patterson was arrested without incident.