Dad charged with choking, slapping 10- and 8-year-old daughters (Cheyenne, Wyoming)

Dad DONALD J. HAYDEN has pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony child abuse. He claims he was "depressed."

http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2011/09/03/news/20local_09-03-11.txt

Laramie County man pleads not guilty to child abuse charges

By Lindsey Erin Kroskob
lkroskob@wyomingnews.com


CHEYENNE -- A man accused of choking and slapping his daughters pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday.

Donald J. Hayden, 33, is charged in Laramie County District Court with two counts of felony child abuse. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison on each count.

Hayden was arrested in July. His current address is in Port Clinton, Ohio.

According to court documents, police responded to the Laramie County Safe House to take a report of domestic abuse from Hayden's wife, Melissa.

She said Donald Hayden had been physically and mentally abusive to her and their children -- females ages 10, 8 and 5 and a 2-year-old male.

The names of child victims are not public record.

A forensic interviewer talked with the children, who said Donald Hayden would hurt the oldest daughter by strangling her.

The 10-year-old told investigators that her father held her against a wall with one hand and lifted her off her feet because she would yell back at him and stand up for her sisters, documents show.

She said he would throw toys at them when he got upset, documents show.

The 8-year-old told the interviewer that her father had scared her by driving his truck close to her as she was riding her bike. She said she thought he was going to run her over, documents show.

She said she is afraid for her sisters because Donald Hayden hurts them and she is afraid they are going to die, documents show.

Melissa Hayden said she had observed Donald Hayden hit their oldest daughter across the mouth, causing her lips to bleed.

She said she also witnessed him choking the 10-year-old against the refrigerator. She hit him until he stopped, documents show.

She said Donald Hayden told her not to interfere when he was disciplining the children.

Melissa Hayden said she didn't report the abuse sooner because she was afraid she and the children wouldn't get away safely.

Melissa Hayden's mother, Wendy Dehn, said she also witnessed Donald Hayden physically, verbally and emotionally abuse the family.

Donald Hayden was contacted by Sheriff's Department detectives at his previous residence, 1496 County Road 241, just south of the Platte County line. He had failed to show up for an appointment with detectives.

When asked if he had ever thrown the 10-year-old to the floor or choked her, Donald Hayden denied ever doing anything to any of his children.

He said he disciplines them by spanking them or making them sit in the corner, documents show.

Donald Hayden said he was in pain and was depressed that he could not work due to a back injury, documents show.

He said he had been hard to be around and may not be a good father or husband but denied being abusive to anyone.