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Man charged with battery and child neglect after racial accusations

Posted at 7:25 AM, Jul 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-05 13:27:41-04

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- A Collier County man is behind bars, accused of attacking his wife and her child following racist out-bursts.

The suspect, 41-year-old William Decker, is charged with domestic battery and child abuse.

Deputies say around 1 a.m. Monday, Decker got angry with his wife because she borrowed a lighter from a black man at a bowling alley.

According to the deputies’ report, Decker told his wife he doesn't like black people and didn't want her talking to them.

The couple later continued arguing and shoving each other at a convenience store on Radio Road until deputies were called to the scene.  Decker fled the area and could not be found.

A few hours later, the victim woke at her home to find Decker choking her.  Things continued to get physical and Decker refused to let the victim leave, reportedly biting her cheek and nipple, slamming her head into a concrete wall, and striking her in the face.  During the fighting he also hit her three-year-old in the face.

The wife eventually ran to a neighbor for help.