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Hammond sentenced for toy bat attack

Kimberly Hammond, 46, of 3712 School House Road, Little Hocking, is led out of Judge Ed Lane’s courtroom Friday. (Photo by Janelle Patterson)

MARIETTA — A Little Hocking woman who took a toy baseball bat to her husband’s head on Valentine’s Day this year was sentenced Friday to 30 days in the Washington County Jail and a year of probation.

Kimberly Renee Hammond, 46, of 3712 School House Road, Little Hocking, pleaded guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor count of domestic violence, following an incident involving alcohol and the lack of gifts on the traditionally love-filled day.

Attorney Claire Ball, representing Hammond in Judge Ed Lane’s court Friday, said his client was so “upset” by the case that she had not been employed since her arrest.

“This involved alcohol, and at the time both parties were drinking,” said Ball. “She tells me she has not had a drop of alcohol since then. She’s living with her parents and is capable of working. She hasn’t been working since she has been so upset, but after this case she hopes to be employed.”

Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings said Hammond’s 13-year-old son had been the one who called 911 when he saw his parents fighting.

“She knocked her husband out when she hit him in the head with the bat. It was enough of a weapon to have caused physical harm to the victim, but not enough damage to require hospitalization,” said Rings. “But he refused medical treatment and has not had contact with her since. I believe he has custody of their child right now.”

The victim, John Hammond, was neither present at the sentencing nor had provided a statement for the prosecution.

Hammond had allegedly consumed around eight beers prior to the fight. The beer appeared to law enforcement to be of a particular kind that has a higher alcohol content than the average beer. After her husband was unconscious, she reportedly kicked him and after arrest was found to have a blood-alcohol level of 0.221.

Lane asked Hammond if she had been in counseling for the violence and alcohol abuse Friday.

“I’m not in counseling at the moment,” she replied. “But I was in the hospital in May for about seven days and I received out-patient counseling then. I have not yet made another appointment.”

Lane provided Hammond with a one-day credit for her sentence for previously served time in the Washington County Jail and suspended the additional 150-day sentence for the first-degree misdemeanor.

“I also want to you talk with L&P Services and go to the meetings that they outline for you,” said Lane.

Hammond was taken into custody by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office following her sentencing.

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