A Portal man is behind bars after allegedly stabbing his wife and neglecting an infant child. Warrants are to be executed against the wife as well, after she recovers from her injuries, said Bulloch County Sheriff Noel Brown.
Mark James-Bart Johnson, 28, of Ponderosa Road in Portal, was taken into custody Wednesday after Bulloch County sheriff's Cpl. Mark Guarino and his K9 partner, Gismo, tracked him down, Brown said.
Around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Deputy Morgan Jones responded to the Portal residence and met with Mary Johnson, who said she had been physically attacked by her husband, Mark Johnson, Brown said.
The victim said her husband stabbed her in the leg and cut her several times, and she also suffered multiple visible bruises and abrasions, he said.
Jones found the victim and her infant surrounded by "deplorable living conditions," and Mary Johnson told him the suspect had fled on foot with a gun he had used to threaten her and the child.
When Guarino and Gismo apprehended Johnson, he fought them and tried to harm the K9, Brown said.
Bulloch County EMS was called to assist the victim, who was transported to the hospital. Caseworkers with the Department of Family and Children Services took the baby into their care "due to the deprivation of necessary sustenance by both Mark Johnson and his wife, Mary Johnson," he said.
Mark Johnson was booked into the Bulloch County Jail on charges of aggravated assault (family violence), aggravated battery (family violence), possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony, terroristic threats and acts, possession of drug-related objects, both first-degree and third-degree cruelty to children, obstruction, and simple battery against a law enforcement officer, Brown said.
Mark Johnson is held without bond, while warrants will be executed for Mary Johnson's arrest on a charge of first-degree cruelty to children upon her release from medical treatment, he said.
Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.