SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — Ohio state Rep. Bob Young was arrested on domestic violence charges after allegedly striking his wife and throwing her phone in a pool, a police report shows.
The report filed by the Summit County Sheriff's Office states that officers were dispatched to a residence in the City of Green at 9:40 a.m. on July 7 for a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Young's brother, who told police that the lawmaker had attempted to gain entry into his house without permission.
The brother proceeded to explain that his sister-in-law — Bob's wife — came to his residence at 2 a.m. seeking safe haven because Bob had allegedly assaulted her. He also said that Bob was attempting to make contact with his wife and children at the house, which he wasn't going to allow due to the circumstances.
Rep. Young's brother stated that after he saw Bob pull into his driveway and park, he exited the residence and stood on the front step. The brother claimed he told him that he was not welcome there and that he would not allow him into the house.
Rep. Young then allegedly lowered his shoulder and charged at his brother in an attempt to gain entry into the house. A scuffle ensued with his brother pushing him, with Bob going through a glass storm door. The brother also suffered cuts on his arms during the incident.
Bob's wife told police that the initial incident occurred at 1 a.m. at the couple's residence in Green. She told police that her husband was yelling at her friend when she stuck her hand in front of the representative's face to stop him from yelling.
Rep. Young's wife said that he proceeded to grab her arm and strike her in the right side of the face with an open hand. During the argument, she told him she was going to call 911, at which time he allegedly grabbed the phone out of her hand and threw it into the pool.
The couple's daughter also told police that while watching through a window, she observed Rep. Young strike her mom and throw her cell phone in the pool when she said she was going to call police.
Rep. Young's wife requested a temporary protection order. Court records show that Young was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor after "knowingly caus[ing], or attempt[ing] to cause physical harm" to an unknown victim. He appeared in court Saturday and was issued a $5,000 bond.
After news of Young's arrest was first made public, Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens — a fellow Republican — called for him to resign. Young, who currently represents much of southern Summit County in the 32nd District, was first elected in 2020.
"I was disappointed and shocked to hear what allegedly transpired sometime after I had left the Young house," said Stephens, who was at the Young household following a fundraiser prior to the incident. "Although I believe that people are innocent until proven guilty, I asked Bob for his resignation as state representative so he can focus on his family at this time."