Hyten retains job in face of battery charge
A Putnam County official has been charged with domestic battery in Putnam Superior Court, but remains employed by the county.
Kim Hyten, 43, Fillmore, county planner and emergency management director, was formally charged with Class A misdemeanor domestic battery Wednesday, following an alleged May 28 incident with wife Karen Reeves-Hyten.
An initial hearing was set for Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. in Putnam Superior Court. Clay County Assistant Prosecutor Kim Jackson has been appointed as special prosecutor in the case, as both parties work for Putnam County.
In an interview with Indiana State Police Det. Deanna Jones, Karen alleged that on May 28, her husband assaulted her multiple times, including throwing her off the porch of their home, dragging her around the yard, choking and shaking her. She also alleged that he gouged her eye, squeezed her scalp and ripped at her breasts.
Jones attested in an affidavit that she observed bruises to Karen's eye area, arms, breast, legs and foot, as well as scrapes to her arms and back. Two other witnesses also observed the injuries, with one taking photographs that have been entered into evidence.
Karen further alleged that Hyten held her against her will the following day, taking the home telephone as well as her cell phone and car keys. She also accused her husband of past physical, verbal and sexual abuse, including abuse in the presence of a child.
Based on her investigation, Jones alleged there was probable cause to arrest Hyten for domestic battery in the presence of a child under 16, strangulation (four counts), criminal confinement and sexual battery, all of which are Class D felonies. The prosecution only opted to charge him with domestic battery.
Jackson was unavailable for comment on the case.
On Thursday afternoon, the Putnam County Commissioners met in executive session for approximately 90 minutes to discuss an individual's employment status. A special public meeting was set to follow immediately.
While the name of the individual discussed was not given, Hyten met with the commissioners for approximately 15 minutes as part of the executive session.
Following Hyten's departure from the room, county attorney Scott Hoff reported the public meeting had been canceled. The commissioners cannot vote on an individual's employment status outside of a public meeting. Neither the public nor press can attend an executive session.
This is not the first time allegations of this nature have been brought against Hyten. He was charged with domestic battery in 2007 for an alleged incident involving his first wife. That charge was later dropped.