Dad assaults mom, hold two kids hostage in police standoff (Vinton, Iowa)

Dad has all the red flags for future fatalities. He needs to be stopped and dealt with now.

Dad is identified as JOSHUA CARL HENDRYX.

http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/vinton-child-tased-in-father-s-scuffle-with-police/article_b7dfb98d-c6bb-5ef2-9314-f87f44f75595.html

Vinton child tased in father's scuffle with police

June 12, 2015 6:59 pm • KCRG-The Gazette

VINTON | A Vinton man who assaulted a woman and held his two children captive Thursday has been charged with domestic abuse assault and child endangerment.

According to a release from the Vinton Police Department, officers with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Vinton police responded to a call of a man breaking things in a rage at 820 E. Fourth Street.

Police said upon arriving at the scene, the man, identified as Joshua Carl Hendryx, 34, had shut himself in the home alone with his two children, a 5-year-old and a 20-month-old.

Hendryx had assaulted the mother of the children, who had abrasions, bruises and scratches to her head and torso from being punched, choked and thrown against the wall and furniture, police said.

Police said Hendryx refused to allow the children to leave the house and would not cooperate with officers.

Police said the 5-year-old was able to escape the home unharmed. Police then entered the residence and found Hendryx holding the 20-month-old, shielding himself from police. Police said he remained highly agitated and refused to hand the child to officers despite their efforts to negotiate with him.

Police eventually were forced to physically control Hendryx while attempting to remove the child. Hendryx continued to fight back and police deployed a Taser.

Police said during the brief struggle Hendryx placed the child in the path of one of the four Taser probes that were fired. Three of the probes hit Hendryx, but one probe struck the child in the left foot. Officers were then able to remove the child and take Hendryx into custody.

The child was treated at Virginia Gay Hospital and then transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where the probe was successfully removed. There were no complications with the removal of the probe and no other signs of injury to the child.

Hendryx was taken to the Benton County Jail. He has been charged with domestic abuse assault and child endangerment, both class D felonies, and interference with officials acts, a simple misdemeanor.