On October 16, 2025, Douglas County deputies responded to a reported domestic assault at a residence on State Highway WW in Ava, Missouri. The male caller alleged his girlfriend, identified as Cheri Newark, had assaulted him.
Deputies encountered Newark near the residence with visible blood on her clothing and injuries including a contusion below her eye, a lacerated thumb, and red marks on her jawline. Newark claimed she was choked during a verbal altercation and struck the male with garden shears in self-defense. The male, found with a head laceration and torso bruising, admitted to pushing Newark by the neck and biting her hand during the incident. He also alleged Newark kicked him, struck him with shears, and attempted to drive his vehicle toward him.
Damage was documented to the male’s vehicle and residence, including broken window screens Newark admitted to removing while attempting to retrieve her keys. A breath test showed Newark’s BAC at .081; she was on probation for a prior domestic assault in Wright County, which prohibits alcohol consumption.
Due to the totality of evidence, Newark was determined to be the primary physical aggressor and taken into custody. Her vehicle was towed, and she was medically cleared for confinement.
Newark is charged with 1st Degree Assault with Serious Physical Injury and Armed Criminal Action, bond was set at $10,000 cash.
