On or about May 2, 2026, at approximately 9:20 A.M., Itasca County Sheriff’s Deputy Porth was dispatched to the 300 block of 3rd Avenue in Calumet, Itasca County, Minnesota, for a domestic between a male and female, later identified as AUSTIN JAMES CARPENTER, [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter Defendant, and A. J. P., hereinafter Victim. Defendant and Victim [NAME REDACTED] in a relationship for about three (3) years and married since August 2025. Upon arrival, Deputy Porth observed Defendant and Victim arguing outside of a parked car.
Deputy Porth observed blood around Victim’s mouth. At that point, Deputy Porth detained Defendant. As Deputy Porth was placing the handcuffs on Defendant, Defendant stated he hit Victim because she hit him first. Victim [NAME REDACTED] did not do that. Deputy Porth could hear Victim crying at this time and placed Defendant in the back of his squad car. Deputy Porth then spoke with Victim [NAME REDACTED], while her children, ages five (5) and ten (10) months, were in the back of the car. Deputy Porth observed that part of Victim’s lip was missing and requested an ambulance.
Victim was crying and visibly upset. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was arguing with Defendant and he began hitting her, repeatedly, in the face. Victim indicated that Defendant put hands on her first and Defendant tried to make her hit him by grabbing Victim’s hands and hitting himself with them. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was unsure how many times Defendant hit her in the face, but it was in the same spot, and the left side of her face was hurting badly. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was the worst incident between the two, as she had not been hit in the face so many times.
Victim [NAME REDACTED] was unable to call 911 because Defendant had her phone, so she went to her neighbor’s house to seek help. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was going to die. Victim again mentioned that her head hurt. Victim stated that the children were inside during the altercation but was unsure if they had seen anything. Victim [NAME REDACTED] incident when they got into an argument and Defendant poured Kool-Aid on her. With Victim’s permission, Deputy Porth went inside the house and took photos of the blood outside the bedroom and bathroom.
Victim was then transported to Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital (“GICH”) in Grand Rapids. While Deputy Porth was speaking with Victim, [NAME REDACTED] went to speak with Victim’s five-year-old daughter, hereinafter Child. Child [NAME REDACTED] was okay and that she did not want her mom to leave. Deputy Patten asked why Child [NAME REDACTED] would leave and child [NAME REDACTED] had to go to the hospital and then said that she was “gonna die.” Child [NAME REDACTED], “my mom is gonna die, ‘cause she has blood.” Deputy Patten reassured Child [NAME REDACTED] was going to be okay.
Deputy Patten then spoke with bystanders. Deputy Patten spoke with J. A. L., who stated he had heard a commotion and observed Victim [NAME REDACTED] on the porch of a residence down the street from her house. J. A. L. Noted that Defendant was storming back and forth grabbing Victim [NAME REDACTED]. J. A. L. Stated that victim [NAME REDACTED] at the neighbors’ house with a blanket around her and that when he approached her, he noticed the blood. J. A. L. Asked Defendant why he hit her, and Defendant stated, “she hit me first, she deserved it.” Deputy Patten then spoke with N. J. K., R. V. K., and S. R. N. Both S. R. N. And R. V. K. Had contacted law enforcement regarding the incident.
