You're got a black eye. I know. He grabbed me by my throat and took me down the hallway and over the edge of the couch and he punched me in the face and I just reacted pushed him back and that was it and he left. Let's pump the brakes real quick. He punched you in the face and you have no visible >> No, it was a little puffed up here a little bit swollen I put ice on it the swelling went down. >> She grabbed my fan and chucked that at me too. When she Yeah, I was in my doorway after she punched me in the face I was like I'm leaving. >> Mom him but mom said he hit her first. [music] >> On April 29th, 2023 officers responded to a report of a domestic incident at a residence. Upon arrival officers were met by a mother, a stepfather, and a grandmother present. By the time they pieced together what had happened inside that home, they would come face-to-face with a parent whose actions shocked even seasoned law enforcement officers. >> Hey brother. Hey, come on brother. We ain't playing that. No, no, no. Come here. Get back in the car. So, right here? >> Mom, this is She left with her dad. >> Okay. >> So, I was trying to get her out. >> me talk. Don't try this nonsense with me. Brother, are you with this car? >> No, I was just in the >> You was near it? >> here. >> Okay, you live here. So, what are you Let me talk. I'm not talking to you. >> Who's not? So, >> Do you have a pickup order? >> No, what happened was >> I came out because >> And mom had altercation with the the black eye. >> Okay. >> Mom him but mom said he hit her first. >> Okay. >> Mom doesn't have any on her face or >> Okay. >> But I did take a picture of his eye and it's a and it's black. >> Okay. >> That's a >> Where was this reported to? >> DCF. >> Okay. >> Someone called in a DCF report. >> Okay. >> And so I'm responding to the call. >> Okay. >> And I came out got um uh what happened and um so then things got out of hand and then I call you guys. >> Okay. Who reported this to DCF or how he got a black eye? Was it >> I don't know. Someone reported it. >> Was there a sheriff's office case number? >> No, there's no sheriff office. Someone just called it in. >> Okay. She's not free to leave. He's not leaving. What are y'all doing here? >> They were here when I got here. >> Okay. So, you live here. Okay. Yeah, I can tell. So, you you can leave. You have no business here. Okay. So, you're not here because of her. >> No. >> Y'all can leave. Get out the way so I can do my investigation. You can do whatever you want. >> This is Dan. He lives here, but he was not home during the incident. >> Okay. >> He's a truck driver, so he's just getting home. >> Got you. So, let's get going cuz I don't want 25 people here. >> Upon arriving at the residence, officers met with a DCF official who was already on the scene. She had planned to speak privately with the mother, Brandy Dunn, but Dunn was also present during the encounter. As officers began questioning Dunn about the allegations, it quickly became clear that the situation was far more disturbing than they had initially anticipated. >> I'm Deputy Hannah with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, okay? Obviously, this is your A verbal dispute turned child, and she's here right now. I'm here because of her. >> I know. >> Your son's got a black eye. >> I know. >> So, before I do any questioning, I'm going to read you your rights cuz obviously there's some miscommunication. Something was notified to DCF, and there wasn't a sheriff's office case number. Deputy Hannah with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, badge number 6227, okay? You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you're being questioned. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish. You can decide at any time to execute these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Do you understand each of these rights I explained to you? Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to me now? >> I don't know what to do. >> It's yes or no. >> What do I do, Mom? What are you asking? >> Shh. Stop. >> I didn't even hear >> Yes or no? >> Yeah, I think Yeah, I guess I I don't know. >> That is your correct? >> Yes. >> What's up with the black eye? Obviously, it's well known it's fresh. >> He was putting a fist in me the other day. He grabbed me by my throat and chucked me down the hallway and over the edge of the couch and me in the face and I just reacted and back and that was it and he left. >> pump the brakes real quick. He punched you in the face and you have no visible injuries. >> No, listen, it was a little puffed up here a little bit and I put ice on it and it went down. I didn't take any pictures of anything because I didn't think it was going to come down any. >> When did this occur? >> Not last night, but the night before. >> And you didn't call law enforcement when you in the face. >> No, because I didn't want him getting in And then he just left. He had friends or something at the end of the driveway. They didn't come up and he went got in the car with them and left. And so I just left them alone. I called my husband, told him what happened. >> Did anybody offer to help >> No, because it was just me and him that were at home. Everybody else was at home. >> Crisscross applesauce on this floor or you're not free to leave, okay? When did this allegedly happen? >> It was Today's Saturday. >> Today's Saturday. >> It was not last night. It was the night before. So it was Thursday night. >> As the officers questioned Dunn, she broke down in tears and attempted to shift the blame onto her own, but to the officers, her account raised more questions than answers. The story wasn't adding up and with each inconsistency, they grew more convinced that they weren't getting the full truth. It was only a matter of time before they uncovered what had really happened. >> What happened the other day with your mom and that took place in the house. Get your hands out your pocket while I'm talking. Do you want to know what happened beforehand leading up to it or do you just want to know what happened in the house? When you're inside the house with your mom, I guess you What day was it? Today's Saturday. Not yesterday, the day before. Yesterday would be what day? >> Uh Friday. >> You sure about that? >> I'm not sure. >> Get your hands out your pocket. >> I didn't have them in my I don't even know what day >> Today is Saturday, so let's rethink this. When did this happen? >> Uh the day before, Friday. >> Okay. So, what comes before Friday? Thursday. >> Thursday. >> So, now we're on the right compass. Okay. What's your place inside this house? >> Inside that house? She Can I tell you what happened in the house? She had to work. >> So, she took her phone with you? >> Right. I dropped her off at work. She was working at the bar. She was working at the bar. I opened I come home She was drunk. I just came home on Friday. Last night. >> Is your argument over money? Okay. >> And I had $15, not $15, $17 on me in tips. >> Okay. >> The 20s normally are tips. So, I got that and I got in the car with her. She was drunk. I don't know how long she's >> Been drinking? >> This is the normal night. >> Okay. >> I understand. What's your question? After that She was screaming on the way on the way home. She was really She She didn't start screaming about it first, but she started talking like "Well, you got all this money, so I can pay you back." And I was like, "I have $17 on my credit card. I can If you want $17, I can get that to you, but I won't have the rest of it." So, no. And then she started repeating I don't I don't know if you've had to deal with drunks before in your life, but all they do is on the same topic. >> How much you think you see this uniform? You come in contact with drunks all the time. Nothing that you're telling me is something we haven't seen as a society so far in my entire career. We deal with it every day of the week in partnership. So, All right. So, argument transpired over money. She kicked you out. She was allegedly drunk or impaired, something in that nature. You came back to the residence on a Thursday. Where is >> She was >> Hands out your pocket. Sixth time I told you. >> I'm sorry about that. >> This man's account painted a very different picture from the one officers had heard moments earlier. He explained that the trouble began the previous Thursday when he and his mother argued over tip money. During the dispute, he alleged that Dunn, whom he described as an alcoholic, kicked him out of her car on the side of a highway. But according to him, the ordeal didn't end there. When he later returned home to retrieve his belongings, Dunn allegedly stormed into his room, hurled items at him, and punched him in the face. Unlike Dunn's story, his claims were backed by physical evidence that appeared consistent with his account. >> You know the light right there, right before you go to Mountain Second Road? On the street right there? >> Mountain Second Road? >> Yeah. You go all the way up to the light road, you turn to make the right turn to get on the this uh highway to get on this street. She stopped there by I I was fed up because it was about a 10-15 minute drive to her house. I I was like, "I'm I'm done with this." >> Hands out your pocket. 720 2. >> It's just a nervous habit. I'm sorry. But she She dropped me off on the side of the highway because I >> Okay. >> me out of her car on the side of the highway while I was I walked all the way from that to the second house. I got picked up by my friend Jonathan and his mom took me here so I can grab what's mine. I ran up the driveway to my door right there. >> Yeah, I think we got the address. We got that house. >> I unlocked the door. My mom was sitting in the living room right there. Dunn up there. She ran up the stairs right there. So I could get my belongings. She ran up the stairs right Mommy like she told him that that wasn't my house. >> Hands out your pocket. >> That is not my house. I don't have a right to be here and I was told that it's just like get what's mine and leave. >> So this is your biological mom? >> This is my biological mom. She didn't want me to step >> Okay. So this is where you reside at with your mom? >> Yes. >> Okay. So why are you telling me that you're not allowed to be at your house? You can come and get your belongings from your own house that you own, okay? But keep going with the story. >> And then she was It's not a good time to both of you. I was a boxer for years. I I'm not >> I understand that. Keep going. >> So I I got the door open. My room's down the hall. I ran down to ran to the room, got to my room, shut the door. I ran down the hallway to reach my door and while I was trying to pack myself, I in there getting a bag with some clothes and stuff and putting it in the bag. She kicks my door in and I ran to basically lock my room. >> Okay. >> I have a desk by my I have a video I can show you what happened like what my room looked like on my phone after I explained this to you. But, I have a >> She kicked the door down. She made entry to your room right next to your desk. Keep going. >> Yep, the desk was right next to my door. I had a basket and I had a box fan sitting on the desk. And she grabs the basket full of a bunch of old family stuff and she swings it at me across my room. Then she grabs my fan and chucks that at me, too. And then after that, she starts coming at me physically a few times. I I First time she swung at me, she >> Okay. >> The second time she caught me twice. >> Okay. After she caught you, what did she do then? >> She She was drunk and I was trying to catch her other hand. >> Was it an open fist, closed fist? >> Closed. >> Did she have any other marks on your body? Do you mind if I take a look? >> No, I don't have a >> Okay. Is it just natural red marks or is it >> Those are The only thing that happened physically was I >> After observing the marks on the body, the officer concluded that Dunn's version of events was not supported by the evidence. With the facts pointing in a different direction, the investigation reached a turning point and the officer moved forward with the next step, holding her accountable for her actions. >> Ma'am, go ahead and step up for me, please. Okay. Let me ask you one question. You said you were Correct? What were you at in the house? >> We were by his bedroom door and he was shoving me and me and then >> Okay. >> He like I said, he grabbed me by the throat and took me all the way down the hallway and I went over the arm of the couch. >> was this? >> It was Thursday night. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. Is that the story you want to stick with? >> Yes, because it's it's the truth. >> Ma'am, turn around. You got anything on your person that's going to stab or poke me? >> No. >> Okay, you're being placed under arrest, okay? You understand that? >> Yeah. >> Here, let me hold this. >> You want to uh >> Okay, here. >> You're going to have >> to have to take another pump of your inhaler? >> Take another pump. >> You're going to have to be really careful with her. She's got No, I mean she's got a major She's got in her throat. >> We have medics at the jail. Everything's okay. >> Yeah, I know. >> Okay, put your hands behind your back. >> I was raised in this county. I know. >> Okay. Are you Mom of her biological mom? >> He is my dad. >> Stepdad? Where's his biological dad at? >> We don't know. >> We don't know, okay. Obviously, let me go ahead and place Due to the situation why I'm here, which is kind of awkward because usually we respond with DCF in most cases. This is a case that would have that this [ __ ] had never got this far. >> I agree. >> Okay. >> I'm going to >> walk with me, okay? Backside in first. Let me Turn that over here. She's going to jail today. >> Okay. >> The best uh >> Okay. >> Seeking to gather as much evidence as possible, officers turned their attention back to the As they questioned him about the incident, he provided a more detailed account of Dunn's actions, holding back nothing as he described what had happened. >> What item struck you in the bedroom? >> A fan and a basket a wicker basket. >> Wicker basket full of clothes? >> No, just random like items and toys I got when I was >> Okay. And why do you think she did this to you? >> She was drunk. >> She was drunk, okay. And you believe that's not Is that the normal way she disciplines you when she's drunk or impaired or something of that nature? >> When she's drunk, she screams and she starts starts arguing and when she's drunk, she's I I She's been my mom my entire life. It's been like that my entire life. >> When she kicked you in the face, what happened after that? >> I After she kicked me in the face, I I didn't like that. being done. I didn't >> Yeah. I grabbed her by her forearm and I We were When she hit me, I was in my doorway. After she hit me in the face, I was like, "I'm leaving." But I I I would rather not have any of my stuff and stay here and deal >> Next time call 911, okay? And this happened Thursday night? >> Yes. >> Okay. So basically she picked you up from >> Yes, sir. >> She drove down the road. Y'all got into a verbal dispute around my second week. She got in the car, you walked the circle, okay? You got in the car. >> Yes. >> Come get you, drove you straight to the back of the house. She was sitting in her car waiting for you. You attempted to go inside to get belongings, which the door was locked. She unlocked the door for you. >> No, I grabbed the key and unlocked the door. >> You grabbed the key, unlocked the door, ran to your bedroom, tried to grab some items. That's when you closed the door, locked the door. She kicked the door open. >> My door doesn't have a lock. It's It's not the first time she kicked it open. It's pretty broken, but Yeah. >> What time did she What time did she uh do this altercation take place in the morning? >> I My phone was on me because it was because it was like 5:00 when she dropped me on the highway and I only got enough to call my friend, but anywhere from I got off of work at 9:00, anywhere from 9:00 to about 10:00, 10:30 was when it was happening. >> Okay. And next next time call the cops, okay? >> Before transporting Dunn to jail, officers informed the grandmother about what had transpired and Dunn's current situation. It was during that conversation that the grandmother revealed additional details about her behavior, details that painted an even more troubling picture of the events surrounding the case. >> According to the DCF, DCF's going to be uh you're going to be taking possession of the She's going to jail for uh And hopefully she gets some help after the fact. Obviously there's a black eye. That's not normal discipline when someone's impaired. I mean, that that's something you can't overlook. I can't overlook. I'm sure nobody else wants to overlook either. It'd be a little different if he's actually your mom and she has to defend herself, which was her story, which doesn't coincide with everything that's taking place. So, she will be charged with She needs to learn that she cannot do this to her son. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Y'all have a good day. I'm sorry that it transpired like this. >> No, no, no, that's fine. I I I kind of figured it was coming because the thing is this, out of the two of them, they are the most alike. >> Yep. >> And they have the same exact temper. >> Thank you. >> So. >> All right, well, thank you so much, okay? >> Being placed in handcuffs did little to change Dunn's approach. Fighting back tears, she continued to insist that her son was the one responsible, clinging to the same narrative she had presented from the beginning. But by then, investigators had already uncovered evidence that painted a very different picture. >> I'm going to have medics come check you out cuz you're allegedly by your son, okay? >> Okay. >> When did this physical allegedly take place? You said Thursday, about what time range? >> Probably about 10:00 at night. It was about 10:00. >> Okay. When he you want to in the in the future, just please contact 911, we'll address it, okay? Okay. You will be being our place under arrest, okay? You have to be mindful of what's the difference between, you know, normal discipline and That's that's >> No, I know it. I've never been before. I just was trying to get him off of me. Honestly, I wouldn't >> Let me say this took place in the living room area of the house? >> It started off by his bedroom and he was breaking the door and I was trying to get him to stop. And he said he was being a mean and I didn't do anything until he me in the face and I back and it was just enough to stun him and he stopped and he left. >> have any pictures of the that he left on you? >> I didn't take any cuz I didn't think it was going to come down to any of this. That's why I said I'm just in shock like I never wanted any of this to happen. >> Look at him type for me, okay? >> Okay. >> Eventually, Dunn was taken to jail where she was charged with with great bodily harm.