Edmond, OK – A 48-year-old man in Oklahoma has been arrested after allegedly trying to steal his mother’s car, smashing her head against the dashboard, and attempting to light her hair on fire during a domestic assault.
Incident Details and Arrest
According to an arrest report obtained by Law&Crime, Donald Chadwell was arrested on Sept. 19 for domestic assault or battery. Police responded to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance at 700 Country Club Drive in Edmond, Oklahoma. The victim, a 74-year-old woman, reported that her son had attacked her while she was inside her car.
“She said her son was trying to set her hair on fire and steal her car,” stated the report. Two additional callers reported seeing Chadwell pulling his mother by the hair and slamming her head into the dashboard of the vehicle.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers saw Chadwell walking about 400 feet from the car and noticed him holding a blue lighter in his hand, with a strand of women’s hair dangling from it.
Mother’s Account of the Attack
The victim, who was outside the car by the time officers arrived, pointed to her son as the suspect. She explained that her son had become aggressive after she hid his car due to his alcoholism and frequent intoxicated driving. Chadwell, in his defense, claimed that his mother was the one who had stolen his car.
When asked about attempting to set his mother’s hair on fire, Chadwell denied any knowledge of the incident. Officers also discovered a large pile of hair in the car’s passenger seat, to which Chadwell casually attributed to his mother’s age, stating her hair falls out.
Allegations of Mental Illness
In a conflicting account, the mother stated that her son had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but was not on medication. She described the events leading up to the assault, explaining that her son had entered her car demanding to know where his vehicle was. The confrontation escalated when he allegedly pulled her hair, causing her to fly back and forth in the car. She also claimed her tooth was chipped during the struggle, and her windshield was smashed.
Witnesses reportedly corroborated her account, confirming that they saw Chadwell pulling his mother’s hair and smashing her head into the dashboard as she screamed for help.
Chadwell’s Previous Arrests and Mental State
Chadwell’s previous criminal record includes an arrest in 2022 for DUI, transporting liquor in an open container, and possession of a controlled substance, although those charges were dismissed. During the police interview, Chadwell mentioned that he did not remember the events after the argument began, stating that he had “gone black.”
He also accused his mother of having a “God complex” and using her wealth to control him.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Chadwell has been placed in jail and is currently awaiting further charges. The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office is considering additional charges against him for the alleged assault.
What Happens Next
As Chadwell’s case progresses, the victim continues to claim that he needs mental health treatment and medication. Meanwhile, Chadwell remains in custody, and authorities are investigating the full details of the assault.
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