Man Convicted of Strangulation in New Hanover, NC, Arrested for Two Counts of Aggravated Battery
Steven Barber, 45, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with two counts of aggravated battery.
Barber was charged via sworn complaint last week for one incident that occurred in August and another that happened at the start of this month.
In August, the victim’s boss reported that she noticed bruises after she was in a room with Barber and left the workplace with Barber.
The following day, the victim’s father filed a missing person’s report and reported that Barber had a history of physical abuse that resulted in serious fractures. On the same day he filed the report, Barber hospitalized the victim. The victim had to repeatedly ask Barber to take her to the hospital for the injuries he caused her.
Alachua Police Department (APD) Officer Tonya Williams reported that Officer Thomas Stanfield met with the victim and Barber in the hospital. Due to Barber imposing himself at the hospital, the victim told Stanfield her fractures were from falling. Williams' report doesn’t clarify if Stanfield attempted to interview Barber and the victim separately.
After the victim was released from the hospital, Barber effectively kidnapped her. The sworn complaint indicates she was released with him due to having no other place to go. Barber took the victim to a remote location in Alachua County and withheld her medical prescriptions for months. Barber significantly damaged the victim’s recovery by withholding the victim from physical therapy.
On October 3, the victim convinced Barber to bring her to a motel so she could try to get to a nearby doctor’s office for her medicine. While at the motel, Barber randomly got mad and punched the victim repeatedly before fleeing the scene.
Williams reported that the High Springs Police Department (HSPD) responded after the victim called 911 and was taken to an “undisclosed location for safety reasons and interviewed the next day.”
On October 4, the victim was taken to the hospital and treated for traumatic brain injuries caused by Barber.
On Barber’s first appearance order, he listed his employment as a self-employed contractor.
Barber is being held without bond pending a pretrial detention motion by the State Attorney’s Office.
In 2015, Barber was convicted of strangulation against a woman in New Hanover, North Carolina. Williams reported that Barber is a flight risk due to his ties in North Carolina.
