SUFFOLK, Va. – Virginia House Delegate Rick Morris filed three assault and battery misdemeanor charges against his wife – Kathryn Morris, according to his attorney Nicole Belote.
Belote said the alleged assaults occurred once in 2015 and twice in 2016.
Morris was first arrested two weeks ago.
Now both have protective orders against each other, according to Belote.
This comes after Morris was charged with three felony counts of cruelty and injuries to children, three counts of child endangerment, three misdemeanor counts of domestic assault involving a minor, and two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence involving an adult.
Rick Morris
The charges stem from multiple incidents that go back as far as December 2015.
Records state that Suffolk Police made contact with Morris’ stepson in reference to a Child Protective Services complaint.
An arrest warrant states that the child was allegedly struck on the hands, wrists and forearms with a belt that left large welts and extensive bruising from an incident that happened September 16, 2016.
It states the 11-year-old boy was allegedly made to sit and “stand in the corner of the room for several hours consisting the majority of three days during the date of September 16, September 17, and September 18.” It states the boy ran away from home on the September 17.
Police found that the victim was assaulted by Morris on September 16 and sustained injuries that indicated physical discipline.
It states the child ran away and authorities got involved.
Police say the alleged abuse also happened on various dates in 2016.
The court records states that through the police investigation Morris’ wife said she was allegedly assaulted by him on December 23, 2015. It states that she reported that they got into a verbal argument, and it turned violent.
The records state, “Mr. Morris grabbed her by the neck and pushed her into the hallway from their bedroom… She injured her left ankle as a result of this altercation and was placed into a temporary cast.”
The alleged incidents occurred on the 300 block of Babbtown Road.
In the wake of his arrest, several leaders from the Virginia House of Delegates asked Morris to step down from his position. Morris has refused, adamantly denying the allegations.
