Chaston Harris

CRANBERRY TWP — A Beaver County man allegedly struck a woman, causing severe bruising, and choked her to the point that she nearly passed out, according to court documents.

Chaston Harris, 26, of Beaver Falls is charged with felony strangulation, misdemeanor simple assault and harassment stemming from the incident, which took place Thursday.

According to a criminal complaint, Cranberry Township police responded to a well-being check call at 3:35 p.m. Thursday at a home in Cranberry. The victim's mother told police she was concerned for her daughter's safety, and that Harris had allegedly been abusive in the past.

The woman was “visibly upset” and told police she sent her mother a “safe word” text message signaling she was in trouble according to court documents. She showed police large areas of bruising on her chest and marks on her face and neck, police said. She told police she and Harris had been arguing about 45 minutes prior, and Harris allegedly struck her with an open hand and choked her, the complaint states.

The women also showed police heavy bruising on her arm, chest and leg, and the complaint states she told police that the injuries came from open-hand slaps and closed-fist strikes.

She told police she was choked “to the point of nearly losing consciousness (four) times,” the complaint states.

The woman declined to submit a written statement “in fear that Harris would retaliate,” according to the complaint.

Harris was arrested at the scene and arraigned Thursday. He is in Butler County Prison on $20,000 monetary bond. A Feb. 8 preliminary hearing is scheduled before District Judge David Kovach.