9-11-2018

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A man was arrested in Bellingham when an argument with the mother of his child led to three assault charges, including one for an 8-year-old being sprayed in the face with a chemical irritant.

Police say Joe Louis Crowder III and his child’s mother were swapping custody Saturday when they began arguing and Crowder tried to pull the woman from a car.

When the victim’s friend who was in the car with her tried to help, Crowder is accused of leaning into the car and spraying the man in the face with a chemical irritant, which also hit a young boy not involved in the custody exchange.

Both needed medical treatment and Crowder was booked into jail.