Man accused of elder abuse

GRAYRIDGE, Mo. -- A Grayridge man is in custody after allegedly abusing his mother and holding a gun to her head.

Michael Davis, 40, of Grayridge, was arrested Monday after a domestic assault call to the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department concerning an altercation Davis had with his mother, according to a police report. It was allegedly during that assault Davis had put a gun to her head.

The caller told deputies Davis was driving a gold vehicle and possibly had a firearm.

According to the report, deputy Andrew Johnson arrived at the area of the call on Fayla Street in Grayridge and found a gold 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier that was believed to be the vehicle Davis had driven.

Johnson reportedly drew his weapon and, accompanied by Cpl. Richard Owens, approached the vehicle. After approaching the person who exited the vehicle, officers were informed Davis was inside the residence.

After demanding that Davis exit the residence, officers took him into custody and took him to the address of the alleged offense.

At the residence, the alleged victim reported Davis had threatened to kill her and himself earlier that day. According to the report, Davis attempted to strangle her with a dog leash as she was seated, and she had to put her foot up to stop him from wrapping the chain around her neck.

The alleged victim also said while her foot was up, the chain got wrapped around it. She showed Johnson a bruise on her left arm, indicating where Davis had grabbed her earlier that day. She said Davis had threatened to burn the house down while she was in it.

She also told officers her son had been physically violent toward her before the incident, assaulting her several times.

Davis was taken to the Stoddard County Jail and was charged with elderly abuse and third-degree assault.