HOUSTON — A Houston man is accused of choking his common-law wife to death on Tuesday in a hotel room during a dispute about the way she disciplined their two children, authorities said.
According to the Houston Police Department, the man will be charged with murder, KTRK-TV reported. The children are 1 and 3 years old, according to police.
Police said the incident occurred at the Sonesta Extended Suites hotel in southeastern Houston, according to KHOU-TV.
The husband reportedly claimed to intervene when his wife was choking a child. However, Houston police said he will be charged with murder. https://t.co/9PInLI1z9U
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Officers originally responded to the hotel at about 8:30 p.m. CDT for what they initially called a “custody battle” between the man and his wife, whose identities have not been released but who have been described as being in their 20s, KPRC-TV reported.
The woman was staying at the hotel, according to police.
Investigators said the issue was reportedly resolved and officers left the scene, but 911 dispatchers received a call from the man at about 10:30 p.m. CDT, KHOU reported.
When officers arrived, the man told police that he believed his wife was choking one of the two children and put her in a chokehold to stop her, according to KPRC. The woman was unconscious on the floor and police attempted CPR, the television station reported.
“He got behind her and put her in a chokehold, he said, to stop her, and he said she went unconscious, and that’s when he called us,” Lt. R. Willkens told reporters.
She was taken to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead, KTRK reported.
The man was taken into custody and the children are currently with Child Protective Services, KHOU reported.
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