Officers dismissed charges against a Butler man accused of strangling a pregnant woman twice on Thanksgiving Day at a preliminary hearing Monday in Butler City.

On Nov. 24, Jamel A. Barnes, 32, was charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanors simple assault and resisting arrest following a reported early morning domestic dispute on Kaufman Drive.

Charges were dismissed with the ability to refile, according to Robert O’Neill, chief of Butler City police.

“(Police) are still working on the investigation and are working with the witnesses to further the prosecution,” he said.

During the first incident, police said Barnes was uncooperative and appeared intoxicated. Police said they determined Barnes had struck and strangled a woman who was nine months pregnant.

Barnes was taken into custody. At the police station, police said Barnes became unruly and resisted officers.

Barnes then was transported to Butler County Prison. He was released after he was arraigned and given unsecured bond, a news release said.

Upon his release, Barnes returned to Kaufman Drive, where he forced his way into the residence and again assaulted the woman, police said.

During the second incident, Barnes struck the woman in the face, strangled her to the point that she could not breathe and threatened to kill her, police said.

The woman fled the residence, went directly to the police station and reported the incident, police said.

Barnes was charged with felony burglary, strangulation and intimidation of a witness and misdemeanors simple assault and terroristic threats for the second offense and was taken to Butler County Prison, police said.

Barnes appeared before District Judge William Fullerton for a hearing, which resulted in Butler City officers dismissing the charges against him. He will be released from Butler County Prison.