By Mike Ferguson
The Ledger
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Polk Fire Rescue EMT has been arrested on charges of domestic violence, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Stephen Blood, 35, of Winter Haven, has been charged with one count of battery domestic violence. Blood is accused of harming his wife, Silva Blood, on Thursday.
According to deputies, Blood and his wife were at their home when an argument escalated. Blood grabbed his wife by the upper arm and pushed her into a closet in the master bedroom, the Sheriff’s Office said.
From there, deputies said, Blood is accused of physically and verbally assaulting his wife several times, including putting his forearm to her neck to obstruct her air flow until she became lightheaded.
Silva Blood reported the incident Friday, claiming to be in fear of her life.
Her husband was taken into custody and is being held in the Polk County jail on $5,000 bail.
Stephen Blood has been suspended with pay following his the arrest.
“Employees are expected to act professionally and with personal integrity, both within and outside the workplace,” said Deputy County Manager for Public Safety Joe Halman, Jr.
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