A 36-year-old man was arrested Saturday after Fresno police said he strangled a woman until she lost consciousness and continued assaulting her as their 1-year-old child was nearby.

Fresno police officers responded about 3:37 a.m. to a reported physical domestic disturbance. A minor who called police reported hearing the victim being choked by the suspect, according to police.

When officers arrived, they heard an argument and several children crying. They contacted an adult woman who had visible injuries to her face, arms, and back. She told officers the man who assaulted her was still inside the apartment.

Officers detained Jose Hernandez.

The woman told officers she had been asleep when Hernandez entered their room extremely intoxicated and upset with her.

Police said Hernandez grabbed a 2-by-4 and threw it at the woman, striking the left side of her forehead and causing visible injuries.

Victim Strangled Unconscious

As she attempted to get away, Hernandez prevented her from moving, according to police. He then grabbed her neck with both hands and strangled her until she lost consciousness, leaving redness and bruising on her neck.

Police said that when the woman regained consciousness and attempted to leave the bedroom, Hernandez grabbed her and dragged her into a closet they shared. He then punched her multiple times in the face and back with a closed fist, causing additional bruising and a contusion under her left eye.

The couple’s 1-year-old child was in the room, woke up during the assault and began crying, police said. Hernandez continued assaulting the woman while the child was lying next to her, according to police.

The woman told Hernandez she was going to call police, but he took her cellphone as she attempted to make the call, police said.

Officers also determined Hernandez was restrained from contacting the woman, according to police.

Hernandez was arrested on domestic violence-related charges in connection with the incident and booked into the Fresno County Jail.

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