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City constable arrested amid spike in domestic violence incidents in East Baton Rouge
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BATON ROUGE – A city constable was placed on leave after a domestic violence arrest.
WBRZ Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto has been working this story all day. Watch for more on WBRZ News 2 newscasts later Tuesday – stream WBRZ newscasts here.
WBRZ and Nakamoto were first to learn about the arrest of Colby Dewayne Burns.
Burns, 31, was booked into jail late Saturday morning on domestic abuse battery and child endangerment charges. Burns’ one-time fiancée said he refused to leave the house where she was staying and, during an argument, pushed her and threw her cell phone on the bed when she tried to call her sister for help.
The woman said she was scared enough to lock herself in the bathroom and wait for authorities to arrive. The woman said when she warned Burns she was calling for help he told her, “go ahead and play victim.”
Burns’ two children were at the home when the event unfolded, authorities noted in arrest documents.
Burns was booked into jail around 10:30 a.m. and posted a $3,000 bond around 6:30 Saturday night.
"Domestic violence is something that needs to be focused on, and the bonds need to be high in my opinion," EBR Metro Councilwoman Jennifer Racca said. "And when someone is a criminal we need to make sure they aren't put back on the streets or reoffend again. It's up to our judges to do that. Our police officers are doing what they are supposed to do... It's up to our judges to do what they are supposed to do."
Burns is on administrative leave without pay from the Baton Rouge Constable’s office. He had to return city-issued equipment while he is on leave.
The arrest comes amid a heightened state of awareness for domestic violence in East Baton Rouge prompted by a skyrocketing record number of deadly domestic violence encounters this year.
Domestic violence resources
Iris Domestic Violence Center 24-hour hotline: 225-389-3001
The Butterfly Society phone number: 225-347-7725.
Click the links below for more resources:
- Family Services of Greater Baton Rouge
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