STROUDSBURG — A man is locked up in Monroe County on a slew of charges all because authorities say a woman had the courage to step forward.
Detectives say it’s a domestic violence case that has been going on for more than five years and was extremely violent.
Miguel Santiago, 26, is now facing charges of simple assault, stalking, drug possession in Monroe County.
Santiago allegedly has been abusing a woman for more than five years. That woman finally got the courage to step forward just this week. Detectives hope it encourages others in violent relationships to do the same.
“We took immediate action and as soon as I sat down and met with her, and within an hour of that interaction, we were making plans to have Mr. Miguel Santiago under arrest,” said Det. Kim Lippincott, Monroe County district attorney’s office.
According to court papers, Santiago told his victim he was going to live with her, choked her with her sweater, and beat her head into a bathtub, while a 1 year old was in the home.
But they say he wasn’t just abusive, he also stalked her.
“He would make sure she didn’t have access to her cell phone. He would make sure she didn’t have access to the keys to her apartment or anything like that. She was in fear for her life.”
As the victim spoke with detectives, fearing for her and her family, they say Santiago sent her threatening texts wanting to know where she was.
Santiago didn’t give up without a fight. Police had to chase him down Chipperfield Drive, a place where he was known for allegedly selling drugs before he was taken into custody.
The Women’s Resource Center in Monroe County says women trying to get out of these situations need to do this.
“Plan, plan, plan, plan. Have a safety plan in place,” advised Lauren Peterson of the Monroe County Women’s Resource Center. “Think about how you’re going to escape, when you’re going to escape, where you’re going to go, what you need to have with you.”
Women who need help can turn to their crisis hotline to plan, and they’re seeing more and more cases every month.
“It’s happening and we’re seeing a rise in people that are coming to our services. Not necessarily because it’s happening more, but because people are talking about it. They’re being trained about it,” said Peterson.
“They need to get that courage together to come forward. Come to the police. The police will handle it,” Det. Lippincott added.
Women in violent relationships like this can call the crisis hotline 24/7 at 570-421-4200.
Santiago is locked up in Monroe County and scheduled to be in court later this month.
