Police: While holding baby, pregnant woman strikes husband with hatchet

SANDUSKY — Sandusky police arrested a city woman for allegedly hitting her husband three times with the hammer-end of a hatchet as she held onto her infant son.West Market Street resident Bree Niedermeier, 28, faces charges of domestic violence and child endangerment, both first-degree misdemeanors, for a reported incident taking place at about 10:45 a.m. Saturday.An argument occurred between Niedermeier and her husband in their home, according to a police report. Niedermeier's 1-year-old son was also present.As the husband gathered his items to leave the house, Niedermeier reportedly began striking him with a hatchet, or a miniature ax. The husband told police Niedermeier attacked him three times with the hatchet's hammer-end, or non-blade, portion.As she held onto the hatchet, police said Niedermeier — who is "several months pregnant" with her husband's child — was holding her infant son with her opposite arm.An officer then spoke with Niedermeier, who left the area when police originally arrived. Niedermeier said she had been verbally and physically abused. She claimed her husband pushed her.Based on all the information given, and the husband having visible injuries — police noted he had a large red mark, about 4 inches in diameter, on his back — officers charged Niedermeier with the two offenses. As of late Sunday, she remains booked in the Erie County jail on a $6,000 bond.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.