The wife of former Arkansas state Rep. Austin McCollum has filed for divorce less than a week after his arrest on domestic violence charges. Court records indicate that on Aug. 7, she submitted her divorce filing just one day after requesting an order of protection against him. Judge Xollie Duncan issued an ex parte protective order the same day, effective until Aug. 25. A temporary hearing is set for that morning at 9 a.m.
McCollum, who previously served as a state representative for Benton County, was arrested on Aug. 1 on allegations including third-degree battery, aggravated assault on a family or household member, and first-degree false imprisonment. He was released from custody the following day after posting a $10,000 bond.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office stated that deputies were called to a Bentonville residence in the early hours of Aug. 1 for a reported physical disturbance. According to the probable cause affidavit, McCollum allegedly arrived home intoxicated and engaged in a heated argument with his wife. The situation escalated as the affidavit claims McCollum threw shoes and other objects, struck his wife with a clothes hanger, and later physically assaulted her in various ways.
Investigators reported that McCollum blocked his wife from leaving a bedroom and proceeded to throw her onto a bed, placing a knee on the back of her neck, which allegedly made it difficult for her to breathe. The affidavit notes that she briefly escaped but was stopped when McCollum allegedly slammed a door on her hand, injuring two fingers. He is further accused of punching her, cutting her eyebrow, and slamming her head into the floor multiple times.
The affidavit also reveals that McCollum reportedly attempted to get his wife to clean up the blood and hide her injuries after the assault. Another family member in the home called 911 and contacted additional relatives, who intervened and separated the couple before law enforcement arrived. Deputies reported that McCollum appeared intoxicated at the scene and declined to explain the blood on his arms and legs or injuries visible on his knuckles.
In her request for the order of protection, McCollum’s wife also alleged that the Aug. 1 incident was not isolated and cited prior instances of violence.
McCollum is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 8 to address the pending criminal charges.