Liberty man gets $50K bond in domestic violence case

LIBERTY — Bond was set at $50,000 at Girard Municipal Court for a Liberty man after police accused him of beating the mother of his 1-year-old child and then fleeing with the child Sunday evening.

The victim had a protection order against Michael Gibson, 22, for a previous domestic violence incident. She said she woke up in her apartment and realized Gibson was there, the report said.

The victim and Gibson began talking, and Gibson stated she only wanted to be friends until he gets help with anger issues, the report said.

As the conversation began to escalate, Gibson said he was leaving with the baby, and the victim refused to let him take the child. Gibson snatched a cell phone from her hand when she tried to call a friend, the report said.

Gibson began walking out, and when the victim demanded her phone back, Gibson choked her while she was holding their baby, the report said.

Officers reported there was redness around the victim's throat and in the corner of her eyes, which they reported happens when someone is choked.

Austintown and Youngstown police assisted Liberty with the search for Gibson and the baby, and located him on North Evanston Street.

The baby was safe, the report said.

Gibson was charged with violating a protection order, kidnapping and domestic violence.