According to the probable cause affidavit a West Plains man is facing multiple felony charges after police say a domestic disturbance escalated into violence involving both his girlfriend and a juvenile child inside a Locust Street residence.
According to a probable cause statement filed in Howell County, officers responded on January 7 to reports of a domestic altercation and found the home in disarray, with broken items and a damaged bedroom door consistent with forced entry. Officers made contact with Christopher A. Dangler, who appeared intoxicated and admitted to drinking.
Inside a locked bedroom, officers found the victim with a visible contusion above her eye and several juvenile children. The victim told police that Dangler had become increasingly angry throughout the day, pushed a juvenile to the ground, and later forced open the bedroom door while threatening to kill her and the children.
Investigators say Dangler grabbed the juvenile by both arms and threw her into a wall. When the victim attempted to intervene, Dangler allegedly restrained her and struck her repeatedly in the face before dragging her into a bathroom and continuing the assault. The victim eventually barricaded herself and the children back inside the bedroom and retrieved a handgun to protect them.
Witnesses on a FaceTime call during the incident reported seeing Dangler throw the juvenile into the wall and strike the victim multiple times. Officers also documented injuries on both the victim and the child consistent with the statements.
Police say Dangler later attempted to bribe the victim with money to prevent her from speaking with officers and threatened to evict her and the children if she cooperated. He repeated eviction threats while being escorted to a patrol vehicle.
Dangler is facing charges of endangering the welfare of a child, third‑degree domestic assault, and tampering with a victim, his bond is set at $100,000 cash or corporate surety.
