A Leesburg man was arrested for battery after allegedly severing his brother’s finger in a closet door during an argument.
Deputies responded to an altercation resulting in a severed finger at a Lake County residence around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, they met with the mother of 28-year-old Jaylin McMullen outside as she talked on the phone with dispatchers.
She walked inside and neared McMullen’s brother who had a pinky finger severed at the knuckle on his right hand. They both advised that there was an argument between the two, the report said.
The brother mentioned McMullen was upset about video game and got mad. His finger had been caught in the closet door and then severed. He started to make emotional comments about his life, saying he did not care if he died and did not want EMS to come, the report said.
While speaking with McMullen’s grandmother, she stated she had seen the two grappling in a bedroom. The brother walked out with a missing finger, the report said.
The mother informed deputies that she found the missing finger in the closet of the bedroom where the brothers fought. When they went into the residence, they saw blood on the floor throughout every room. It led to two bedrooms at the back of the house, the report said.
The deputies tried talking to McMullen by knocking on the door and making themselves known. One of them walked around to another entrance to the bedroom to find him leaving through a window. They pursued him on foot and commanded him to stop, ultimately taking him into custody at 26739 Yalaha Road, the report said.
McMullen agreed to talk about the situation but would not give any details about what happened. Meanwhile, his brother was taken to AdventHealth Waterman Hospital, the report said.
A criminal history check later revealed McMullen was convicted of battery in 2022, the report said.
McMullen was charged with aggravated battery (domestic) and obstructing justice. He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $26,000 bond.