A 38-year-old man made his first appearance Thursday at the Johnson County courthouse accused of restraining and hurting his estranged wife.
Johnson County prosecutors charged Ryan Gaughan with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery and criminal threat.
Overland police say they were called to a hospital Wednesday where they found the woman.
Court records show Gaughan and his wife got married in Kansas City 10 years ago. But the mother of three filed for divorce and an order of protection back in December.
In her petition, she wrote the two separated after he allegedly restrained her with a knife and pointed a gun at her. Last fall she says Gaughan began leaving “hateful” voicemail messages.
“Sometimes people don't feel comfortable talking to the police and we want you to contact a family member and maybe that family member can reach out to the police department,’ Officer John Lacy, a spokesperson with the Overland Park Police Department said.
Officer Lacy said domestic violence is a crime that’s hidden in plain sight.
“A lot times they feel embarrassed about the situation that they're going through, they don't want the neighbors to know, they don't want their family members to know. Another thing is that they’re scared about the financial situation they're afraid the person may be the breadwinner in the home and they don't want that to change,” Officer Lacy said.
In Overland Park an officer is required to hand out a victims right sheet to every domestic call they responded to. On it there is information on what domestic violence is and a list of phone numbers and resources to help the victim.
“If you have kids inside the home and they're seeing this as a parent you would not want is a your child to go through what you're going through,” Officer Lacy said.
In court Gaughan’s lawyer told the judge his client is mentally ill.
Gaughan is being held on a $500,000 bond. His next court hearing is set for Feb. 16.
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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
