This just in from TJ Hart, we are still looking for additions information and will be issuing updates when we have them – Simon

Ronald Cummings, the father of a missing 5-year-old Satsuma girl, was arrested overnight and booked into the Putnam County Jail on felony charges of burglary and assault.

Stay tuned to News Talk 97.3 The Sky for udpates on this story.

Ronald Cummings is the custodial parent of HaLeigh Cummings who was abducted from her father’s home in Hermit’s Cove near Satsuma, FL February 10, 2009. Cummings was reportedly at work on the late shift at PDM in Palatka when the child was taken while in the care of Cummings’ 17-year-old babysitter-now bride, Misty Croslin-Cummings.

August 10 marks 6 months since HaLeigh was reported missing. HaLeigh’s 6th birthday is August 17.

The report by Deputy Nicole Quintiere:

“On August 5th, 2009 I was dispatched to the parking lot of the Welaka Kangaroo in reference to the report of a battery. When I arrived on scene, I met with Hank Croslin Jr and Hank Croslin Sr and also Lisa Croslin. Upon initial assessment of the situation I gathered that Hank Croslin Jr had been battered by Ronald Cummings.

Upon further investigation into the incident, I spoke with Hank Croslin Jr on his own. Hank stated that he, Lisa and Hank Sr had gotten a phone call from Misty who was crying and yelling. He said that Misty asked for them to come to her residence and pick her up because she no longer wanted to be at the residence with Ronald. In an attempt to obtain his sister, he, Lisa and Hank Sr drove to her residence on 4th Avenue. He stated that when he arrived at the residence on 4th Avenue Ronald came out and was acting crazy. He said that Ronald came out and began “swinging on him”. He said that he was hit in the head and neck several times. He said that after they got in their physical altercation, he entered his vehicle in an attempt to drive away and Ronald entered the vehicle on the passenger side and began striking him again. He said that at that time, he drove away and went to the Kangaroo in Welaka to call 911. Hank Jr completed a written statement in reference to the incident. He also signed a charging affidavit against Ronald Cummings for Burglary with Battery. Hank Jr was transported to Putnam Community Medical Center complaining of injury to his neck and head.

After speaking with Hank Jr, I spoke with Lisa Croslin. Lisa stated that she was not sure what Ronald was on but he was not in the right state of mind. She said that up until now she never knew him as being violent. She said that they had received a phone call from her daughter Misty screaming and crying. She said that she was worried about her daughter and went to the residence to check on her. She said that when they arrived on scene Ronald went crazy. She said that when they were in the driveway of the residence Ronald came to the vehicle and hit her son. Lisa completed a written sworn statement in reference to the incident.

It should be noted that Hank Sr was at the scene as well. He stated that he did not wish to complete a written or recorded statement. He said that he did not want his daughter to be mad at him so he did not want to take any action. He did state though that he was at the residence when the fight occurred. He said that Ronald went crazy on his son. He said that they arrived and Ronald came out irate. He said that Ronald hit his son several times and then was forced back into the residence. He stated that after a few more minutes Ronald came back out and initiated another fight. He said that they got into three separate physical altercations before leaving the residence to call 911. No written or recorded statement was provided. He stated that he would be willing to speak in court if a subpoena was issued for him.

After speaking with all three of those subjects, I located Ronald Cummings at 216 4th Avenue. Upon initial contact, I detained Ronald Cummings for my safety and the safety of all others at the scene. It should be noted that Ronald Cummings is usually in possession of some sort of hand gun and it was mentioned that he may have been in possession of it at the current time. Ronald was taken outside of the residence by me and Deputy Nelson. Sgt Cecil Manning stayed in the residence with Misty Croslin and Ronald’s grandmother Annette Sykes. Ronald was asked to explain what happened with Hank Croslin Jr. He stated to me that he did not wish to speak that it was his right to remain silent. At that time, I asked Deputy Nelson to stay with Ronald while I spoke with Misty and Annette.

Upon speaking with Misty she stated that she had talked to her brother on the telephone. She said that she asked him why he had been calling her residence all day. She said that he asked her if he could come over and she said no because it was too late. She said that he then made a big ordeal about not being able to see her and said he was coming over anyway. She said that when he arrived at the residence, he began a verbal altercation with Ronald. She then said that Hank Jr came at Ronald and a physical altercation began. She said that Ronald went into the residence as instructed by his grandmother. When Hank did not leave the residence Ronald came back out and another physical altercation began. Misty said that she was trying to break up the fight and got hit in the face two times by Hank Jr and her dad Hank Sr because she was in the middle of the fight.　 She said that they fought for a little while longer and then her brother and mom and dad left.　 Misty completed a sworn written statement in reference to the incident.

After speaking with Misty I spoke with Ronald’s grandmother Annette Sykes. Annette stated that she was in bed and heard a racket outside of her house. She said she got up and opened the door. She said she saw a group of people outside in her front yard. She said she saw three men in a crowd screaming and yelling. She realized that the men were Ronald Cummings, Hank Croslin Jr and Hank Croslin Sr. She said that they were fighting and Misty and her mother were trying to get them to stop. Misty told them to leave the residence. She said that she attempted to break up the fight and told Ronald to go into the residence and everyone else to leave. She said that she separated Ronald and Hank Jr and sent Ronald in the house. She said she pushed Hank Jr, Sr and Lisa into their van and told them to leave. She said that Hank Jr continued to yell at Ronald. She said that Ronald came back out and they went to fighting again. She said that Hank Jr was in the van and Ronald reached in again after him to continue the altercation. She said that again she sent Ronald into the residence and slammed the van door shut so that Hank, Hank and Lisa would leave. She said that Hank Jr was going to the handy way to call the sheriffs office. Annette completed a sworn written statement in reference to the incident.

It should be noted that Ronald Cummings made it very clear at the scene that he had a right to remain silent and did not wish to speak about the incident without a lawyer. Ronald was placed in the rear seating area of my patrol vehicle. He was advised that he was being charged with Burglary with battery. Ronald was transported to the jail without incident. When we arrived at the jail he advised that he wished to “fill out a statement just like everyone else did against him”. He stated also that he wanted to sign charging affidavits in reference to battery against Hank Croslin Jr and Hank Croslin Sr.

In Ronald’s statement he stated that three people Hank Croslin Jr, Sr and Lisa Croslin showed up at his grandma’s house after they were told not to come there by his wife Misty Cummings. He said that Hank Jr and Sr got out of the van and approached in an “aggressive” manner. He said that he asked Hank Jr to get out of his face and he then came closer. He thought he was going to hit him so he pushed him out of the way. He said that Hank Jr then hit him after Ronald pushed him and the physical altercation began. He said that Hank Sr then entered the fight and held him while Hank Jr hit him. Ronald completed a sworn written statement in reference to the incident and also signed charging affidavits against Hank Croslin Jr and Sr for battery.

Ronald was booked without incident on the charge of Burglary with Battery. His bond is set at $12,504.00. Photographs were taken of Ronald Cummings and Hank Croslin Jr’s injuries. The photographs have been uploaded onto the PCSO website for further review. At this time, the charging affidavits against Hank Croslin Jr and Sr will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for further review. Any further reports or supplements will be completed and submitted in a timely manner.”

Update: 12:00 Eastern – TJ will be on HLN at 5pm Eastern and Nancy Grace at 8pm Eastern to discuss this turn of events – simon

Update: 14:00 Eastern – Ronald Cummings bonded out, still checking out which firm, but rumor has it Chucks Bail Bonds Correction, news just in, Misty payed the bond. Where did she get the money from? – Simon

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