A Marshall man is facing assault and child endangerment charges after an incident that reportedly occurred in a Marshall parking lot last September.

An arrest warrant was issued Thursday, Feb. 26 for 25-year-old Benjamin Allen Clay, after prosecutors filed charges of third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and violation of a child protection order. A probable cause statement accuses Clay of trying to remove a juvenile from a vehicle that his ex-wife was cleaning out at a Marshall business last September. When officers arrived, Clay allegedly told them that he believed an ex parte order against him was no longer in place because he and his ex-wife were in contact.

The victim later told officers that Clay had spotted her vehicle and parked his vehicle in front of hers, blocking one of the business’ exits. According to her statement, the victim said that Clay attempted to stop her from leaving when he grabbed the passenger-side mirror, then was able to open the rear door and attempted to get a child from out of their car seat. The victim then attempted to grab Clay by the waist to pull him away, alleging that Clay punched her in the stomach twice.

The warrant calls for Clay to be held on $5000 cash or surety bond, with no contact with the victim or their child. A hearing is not scheduled at this time.