Raymond Earl Malone, 53, of Shady Grove was held in the parish jail in Arcadia this morning pending a bond setting. He was booked on a charge of second-degree battery/domestic violence.

Malone is accused of dragging his wife, Lekicia Loyd, from a vehicle and choking her.

Bienville Sheriff John Ballance said sheriff's deputies on Sunday were called to the hospital in Jonesboro, where Malone's wife had gone for treatment. Deputies interviewed her and obtained an arrest warrant, Ballance said.

Malone was arrested early today as he headed home from work, Ballance said.

The alleged incident happened in front of a 2-year-old child, Ballance said.