PUBLIC SAFETY

Engagement dispute led to deputy’s arrest

Justin L. Mack
justin.mack@Indystar.com

A dissolved engagement is what sparked a domestic incident last week between a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy and his fiancee, court document say.

The fiancee said an argument erupted July 29 with Deputy Brandon Kidwell, 29, when she told him that she wanted to end their relationship. She said Kidwell had her and her 6-year-old son locked in a room of her Blue Ribbon Road home on the Southeastside and refused to let them out, according to court documents.

She said she told Kidwell that she was going to call police.

“Call the police,” court documents quote Kidwell as saying. “I am the police. They won’t believe you, and I guarantee I will make sure you are the one that goes to jail.”

Efforts to reach Kidwell for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful. A message seeking comment was left with his attorney, James Voyles.

Kidwell told police that he never prevented the woman from leaving the house and that she began charging at him after he asked that she return items he had given her, court documents said. He said the woman was screaming and grabbing at Kidwell’s arm, leaving a small cut.

She told police that any cut would have been caused while the two were tussling over her cellphone and that her leg was injured when he closed a door on her, according to the court documents.

She said she tried to open a window but Kidwell slammed it shut. Then, while Kidwell was at the window, she fled the house about 5:30 p.m. and flagged down an Indiana State Trooper who was in the neighborhood on a separate matter, court documents said. Her son was running behind her.

Kidwell has been charged in Marion County with felony criminal confinement and domestic battery. He also faces misdemeanor charges of battery resulting in bodily injury and interfering with the reporting of a crime.

He bonded out of the Marion County Jail on July 30.

Katie Carlson, spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office, said Kidwell is on administrative leave pending an investigation.

The woman in the incident has filed a personal protection order against Kidwell, according to online court records.

Call Star reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter:@justinlmack.