A Marysville man with a history of violence against his wife has been indicted for allegedly hitting her again and this time endangering their son as well.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Otis R. Ratliff, 32, of 624 Kentucky Circle, Marysville. Ratliff is charged with one count each of endangering children and felony domestic violence.
According to court documents, on Dec. 9, Ratliff had been drinking at a Christmas party.
About 11:02 p.m., Ratliff and his wife were laying in bed with their 2-year-old son between them. The woman asked Ratliff if he had brushed his teeth and used his nose spray.
The man got angry and cursed at the woman calling her a vulgar name. When she asked him to apologize, he refused.
“That is when Otis struck her on the right side of her face,” according to court documents.
Police were called to the scene. Ratliff said there was no physical contact, but investigators reported, “visible injury on the right side of her face, above the eye brow.”
“Because the child was between them, we believe he created a risk of physical harm to the child,” Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said.
Ratliff has a history of violence against the woman.
In 2015, prosecutors dropped a domestic violence charge against Ratliff when he agreed to plead guilty to persistent disorderly conduct. He was placed on community control, fined and ordered to complete a domestic violence evaluation.
In February he pleaded no contest to an assault charge against her. In that incident, Ratliff threatened to take the son away from his wife. According to court documents, Ratliff hit the woman in the back of the head while she was carrying the child.
“Mrs. Ratliff then tried to run away and Mr. Ratliff chased her through the house,” according to court documents. “Mr. Ratliff then started to remove pictures off of the walls and threatened to destroy them. Mrs. Ratliff stated that she is fearful for the safety of her and (the child) because Mr. Ratliff stated that he loved hitting her and would make sure to get his money worth.”
While that case was in progress, Ratliff was charged with and ultimately convicted of violating a temporary protection order.
Domestic violence is often charged as a misdemeanor. Once an individual has a conviction for domestic violence or a similar act of violence, additional allegations are charged as felonies.
“Because of his prior conviction, this act is charged as a felony,” Phillips said.
If convicted, Ratliff could face as many as 24 months in prison.
Also indicted was:
Mark Anthony Thompson, 40, of 21938 Raymond Road, Raymond. Thompson is charged with two counts of operating a vehicle. According to court documents, about 6:52 p.m., May 5, Thompson was driving a 2000 Honda motorcycle on Peoria Loop Road. He apparently crashed the bike and was charged with failure to control and reckless operations. Additionally, he was charged with failure to reinstate his license, which expired in 2015, but was suspended.
Thompson allegedly had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. Additionally, He has drunk driving convictions in 2009, 2010 and 2011 from courts around central Ohio. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated is generally charged as a misdemeanor, however, once an individual has a conviction, future allegations could be charged as felonies.
If convicted, Thompson could face as many as 36 months in prison.