PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria man has been charged with beating his 72-year-old mother at a local motel, causing serious injuries including a brain bleed.
Matthew J. Howarter, 49, was charged Tuesday with three counts of Aggravated Domestic Battery and Unlawful Restraint, according to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office. A judge granted the state’s request for detention, and Howarter will remain in custody until his trial.
On April 6, police responded to the Super 8 Motel at 1816 W. War Memorial Drive after a hotel employee called police and an ambulance for an elderly female guest.
When officers arrived, they found the victim and her son, identified as Howarter. The victim’s eyes were swollen shut with heavy bruising and blood on her face.
The victim, who is hospitalized, suffered a brain bleed, multiple facial fractures, and broken ribs.
The victim reported that for more than an hour, Howarter punched her in the face and body, grabbed her by the neck, and threw her into her oxygen tank. She said she was unable to leave or call for help but was able to contact the front desk once her son briefly stepped out of the room.
Officers found what appeared to be blood on the bed sheets, pillowcase, and wall next to the bed. The room was in disarray, and the mattress was off the bed frame.
During an interview with police, Howarter claimed his mother’s injuries occurred when she fell off the bed and hit her face, and he got blood on himself while helping her back up. Officers examined his hands and found cuts, bruises, and swelling around his knuckles.
The investigation is ongoing.
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