Woman Arrested After Paragould Police Say Victim Was Scratched, Hit

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A woman was arrested after police said a domestic disturbance turned physical.

Meghan McLaughlin, 40, was arrested on suspicion of third-degree domestic battering, a misdemeanor.

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According to the probable cause affidavit, Officer Dylan Works responded May 31, 2026, to North Seventh Avenue in reference to a domestic battery. When Works arrived, he made contact with the alleged victim, who reported that McLaughlin had thrown him down, punched him in the face after he told her to leave the house, grabbed him and slammed his head on the floor.

The victim told police McLaughlin also hit him in the face with a closed fist, according to the affidavit.

When officers made contact with the victim, he told police McLaughlin would have scratch marks on her chest that he had caused in an attempt to have her arrested, the affidavit states.

The victim told police McLaughlin had been drinking and had been staying on the couch because of her level of intoxication. He said McLaughlin’s child had asked where her mother was, and the victim found McLaughlin passed out outside asleep, according to the affidavit.

The victim said that as he attempted to carry McLaughlin back inside, she scratched him in the face and chest and caused a busted lip and a minor cut on his face. Officers said the injuries were seen by police.

A minor who was present told officers he could not say what the scratches on the victim were from but said McLaughlin could not scratch the victim and cause the injuries, according to the affidavit.

Works wrote that, due to the totality of the circumstances, McLaughlin was taken into custody and transported to the Greene County Jail.

Bond was set at $2,500 cash or surety. A no-contact order was also issued.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.