Plymouth woman arrested on felony domestic battery charges after fleeing with children

A 32-year-old Plymouth woman is facing felony charges after allegedly battering her mother, threatening a child, and fleeing the scene with three of her children on Thursday evening.

On Thursday, March 19, at approximately 5:45 p.m., officers from the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to the Northgate Trailer Park at 2401 N. Michigan Street in response to a 911 hang-up. Dispatchers advised responding officers that the caller had briefly stated, "I will call back," before disconnecting the line.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers were met by a woman exiting a trailer with blood visibly coming from her forehead. The injured woman informed police that her daughter, identified as 32-year-old Kayla Hiler, who also resides in the trailer park, had battered her.

According to the victim, following the physical altercation, Hiler took three of her children and fled the area, leaving two other children behind. The mother also reported to police that Hiler had made threats directed at one of the children who remained at the scene.

A search for the suspect ensued, and Plymouth Police were subsequently contacted by authorities in Starke County, who advised that Hiler had been located at a residence in Koontz Lake.

Plymouth Police Officer Fisher traveled to the Koontz Lake location and placed Hiler under arrest. She was transported back to the Marshall County Jail, where she was booked on preliminary charges of felony domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, felony domestic battery with a prior unrelated conviction, and misdemeanor communication intimidation.

Hiler is currently being held on a $10,000 cash bond.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.