Soddy-Daisy man arrested on aggravated child abuse charge

A Soddy-Daisy man has been arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse, according to a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit.

Robert Daugherty, 36, was arrested after deputies were called to his house for a domestic dispute. Daugherty had fled, but officers found his 13-year-old daughter at a neighbor's house. An officer saw redness on the left side of her face, as well as swelling and redness near her brow line, according to the affidavit.

The daughter told deputies that Daugherty had struck her three times with his fist and head-butted her, according to the report.

A 14-year-old friend of the daughter was sleeping over at the time and witnessed the incident. She confirmed what the daughter said, according to deputies.

Daugherty's wife, Tamara Daugherty, was intoxicated when police arrived at the neighbor's house, and she also had bruising to her face. The daughter's friend told police Robert Daugherty had pulled Tamara Daugherty by the hair and threw her to the ground.

Officers contacted Child Protective Services, according to the affidavit. Daugherty later returned to the residence and was arrested without incident. He is being held in the Hamilton County Jail on $15,000 bond.

Daugherty has been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and domestic assault against his wife.

The wife and daughter since have been released from the hospital.

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