[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / Animaflora]
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TAVARES, Florida – An Orlando man is facing aggravated assault, child abuse and resisting arrest charges after police say he held a knife to his ex-girlfriend’s throat and the throat of her 3-year-old son, refusing to release the boy. Robert Joynt, 26, is being held in the Lake County Jail on $16,000 bond.
According to the arrest affidavit, the female victim’s friend arrived at her apartment for previously-made plans. The friend rang the doorbell and the victim answered and told her to call the police, “due to the fact she was afraid of Robert and he was in the apartment at that moment,” the arrest affidavit stated. The friend, also in fear of Joynt, went to her vehicle and locked herself inside and called police because she believed there was an injunction. (Police were informed by dispatch an injunction was granted earlier in the day, but Joynt had not been served yet.)
Officers attempted to make contact with the victim by knocking and ringing the doorbell several times; one of the officers witnessed Joynt looking out an upstairs window. The victim, crying and visibly upset, finally answered the door after several attempts. She stated Joynt was upstairs, holding her son and refusing to give the boy to her. She also stated he was holding a knife to the toddler’s throat, according to the affidavit.
Officers entered the apartment and ordered Joynt to show himself. Joynt came around the corner holding the boy, but officers did not observe a knife. They convinced Joynt to come downstairs, but again, he refused to give the baby to his mother. The baby began crying and asking for his mom. The officers tried to pry the baby from Joynt’s grip, and then the officers “escorted Robert down to the ground on his back,” the affidavit states. Joynt still refused to release the baby and officers punched Joynt in the stomach and face and were able to free his left hand from the child. The mother then grabbed the baby. Joynt was handcuffed and searched. Two red-handled knives were found in his possession.
The victim told police she was no longer dating Joynt, but he had stayed the previous night and had a key to the apartment. Before her friend arrived, Joynt knocked on the door and when she stepped outside, he allegedly put a knife to her throat and then directed her upstairs, threatening to kill her.
While Joynt was still on scene, he was served the injunction by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
