A Pottsville man is facing charges after police responded for a welfare check from a domestic incident early Wednesday.
According to Pottsville Police, on Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, around 12:30am, Pottsville Patrolman Cody Searfoss was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Ravine Street for a welfare check on a 24-year-old woman.
Schuylkill County Communications Center advised that the caller, the mother of the woman, who stated that on August 15th, 2023, her daughter was involved in a physical altercation with her boyfriend, 26-year-old Devin Rizzo.
Patrolman Searfoss was advised that the caller also stated that during the altercation, Rizzo bit her daughter, on the back and was worried for her well-being.
Officers arrived at the residence in the 700 block of Ravine Street and made contact with the victim.
The victim was asked if there had been a physical altercation between her and her boyfriend, Rizzo.
The victim stated, "Yes." When asked what happened, the victim stated that they had an argument in the living room area which turned physical. She stated that Rizzo shoved her to the ground, and kicked and punched her. She then stated that Rizzo bit her on the back near the left shoulder blade. She then stated that she had to elbow Rizzo in order for her to escape. She stated that the altercation occurred on August 15th, 2023, at approximately 1:00pm. She also stated that her 3 children were also present at the time of the incident, with the ages ranging from 1 year to 4 years old.
The officers observed physical injury on the victim. A bite mark was observed on her back near the left shoulder blade. A bruise on her left hand was observed also. Those injuries are consistent to the statement from her moth. Photographs of the injuries were taken.
Rizzo was then taken into custody without incident.
After being read his Miranda Rights, Rizzo did confirm that there was a physical altercation between him and the victim, but claimed she was the aggressor.
He stated that she backed him into the corner of the room pulling his hair, so he bit her in self-defense. Rizzo also reported being struck by the victim but there were no signs of the altercation on Rizzo.
Devin Rizzo was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Rossi on charges of simple assault and harassment and released on $15,000.00 unsecured bail.