LaPorte County man arrested by SWAT after serious domestic violence incident

The La Porte Police Department recently announced an investigation involving a serious domestic violence incident that violated a court-issued protection order. 

According to police, on Jan. 18, officers responded to the report of a protection order violation involving a female victim and her ex-boyfriend, 32-year-old Michael Layton. During the investigation officers an active no-contact order was in place against Layton, which stemmed from a prior domestic battery and strangulation arrest. 

Officers discovered the victim sustained severe injuries requiring emergency medical treatment and had to be transported to to multiple hospitals. 

On Thursday, Jan 22, detectives conducted a follow-up interview with the victim and learned her injuries will ultimately result in the surgical removal of her eye. The victim further reported being confined in her apartment for approximately two weeks after her assault until she was eventually able to escape and obtain medical care. 

The victim told officers Layton had been actively packing his things from the apartment and intended to flee the state. Due to the severity of the allegations and risk factors involved, after a search warrant was obtained the La Porte Police SWAT was activated to assist with taking Layton into custody. 

Layton was booked at the La Porte County jail on charges of Criminal Confinement resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 3 Felony; Aggravated Battery resulting in loss or impairment of a bodily function, a Level 3 Felony; Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 5 Felony; and Invasion of Privacy-Violates protective order to prevent domestic abuse, a class A misdemeanor. 

This remains an active investigation and anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective R. Helmecy at 219-362-9446 ext. 2006. Officials also reminded the public that all suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.