Domestic abuse is a huge problem in South Louisiana.

For some of you reading this statement, I'm stating the obvious.

For others, you may not realize how widespread the issue is across Acadiana.

I often read through arrest reports from the different parishes across the area and it is one of the most reported arrests made. By the way, just think about the domestic abuse situations that aren't even reported.

I'm not going to give you my reasons as to why I think this is the case. But, I will highlight a violent weekend in one South Louisiana city - Jennings, which is found in Jeff Davis Parish - that will show you how horrible this issue has gotten.

Deputies, Facebook via Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff's Office
Deputies, Facebook via Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff's Office
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Incident at the Parish Fair

Let's start with an alleged serial domestic abuser. On Friday night, Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's deputies were called out to the Parish Fair in Jennings after a female reported that her ex-boyfriend had grabbed her by the arm and pulled her from a ride while yelling at her. Deputies say 23-year-old Kaynan Deshotel of Jennings was arrested after he allegedly resisted and cursed deputies loudly at the fairgrounds while children were present.

Deshotel was booked into the parish jail and charged with the following:

  • Domestic abuse battery
  • Disturbing the peace with offensive language
  • Resisting an officer.

But this wasn't Deshotel's first brush with the law. Of his nine arrests, three of them have involved domestic abuse. He is being held with no bond.

Alleged Strangler Arrested in Kinder

Friday turned out to be a busy day for deputies as, earlier in the day, 60-year-old Mark Phillips of Jennings was arrested for domestic abuse battery with strangulation after authorities noticed marks on the complainant indicating a physical confrontation happened.

While Phillips was being patted down, deputies say they found drugs and drug paraphernalia. Phillips faces the following charges:

  • Domestic abuse battery with strangulation
  • Possession of marijuana
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Taking contraband into penal facility

Hatchet-Wielding Suspect Allegedly Threatens Sister

The violence from Friday continued into early Saturday morning for deputies as they responded to a call of a man threatening his sister with a hatchet - all because she refused to drive him to the store.

38-year-old Jeremy Gatte of Jennings was arrested after deputies also noticed damage to a wall from the hatchet and found the weapon in a clothes basket. Deputies say they also found a box cutter in Gatte's waistband.

Gatte was arrested and faces the following charges:

  • Domestic abuse battery
  • Taking contraband into penal facility.

Again, please do not think that the issue of domestic abuse is just a Jennings issue - it's a societal issue. Victims of this crime do not deserve to live a life in fear of those who are controlling them.

Please read the tips below on things you can do to help stop domestic violence.

It may save someone's life.

How We Can Help Stop the Tragedy of Domestic Violence in Acadiana

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