SHAWNEE - The father of Kelsey Smith-Briggs was arrested Wednesday night, accused of assaulting his former girlfriend.
Advertisement
Lance Briggs, 29, of Meeker was booked into the Pottawatomie County jail on complaints of domestic abuse, public drunkenness and actual physical control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He was released Thursday afternoon after his $3,600 bail was paid.
Shawnee Police Chief Wayne Crall said Marie Anne Larson, 24, told police that Briggs broke through her front door and attempted to pull her outside by her hair. Crall said Larson’s friend, Jackie Wood, of Shawnee, was cut when Briggs pushed her into a pile of shattered glass left from two windows Briggs had broken.
Crall said when police arrived, Briggs was sitting in a car in front of Larson’s home.
Briggs was jailed after he failed an alcohol breath test, the chief said.
Crall said police are investigating allegations that Briggs has been stalking Larson since their eight-month relationship ended in April.
Kelsey’s death in October attracted widespread attention that has led to a reform law, criminal charges against the 2-year-old’s mother and stepfather and a lawsuit against the state Department of Human Services.
Briggs filed a lawsuit in May against DHS, its director and social workers, blaming a systemwide failure for Kelsey’s death. He also is suing two Shawnee physicians, claiming they failed to recognize and report Kelsey’s abuse.
Prosecutors allege Kelsey died after being hit in her stomach by her stepfather, Michael Lee Porter, 26, of Oklahoma City. Porter is charged with first-degree murder. Briggs’ ex-wife, Raye Dawn Smith, faces charges of enabling child abuse and child neglect.
In March, Briggs was badly beaten in an altercation with four men in the parking lot of a Shawnee tavern.
Mike Chitwood, police chief at the time of the incident, said the four men told police Briggs was forcing Larson into a car and the fight broke out when they came to Larson’s aid. Witnesses reported that Briggs was intoxicated and brandished a knife, although he denied the allegations, Chitwood said.
Assistant District Attorney Russ Cochran said no charges have been filled, but records show the case is pending.
In 2001, Briggs pleaded no contest to an assault and battery charge stemming from an incident with Smith. In exchange for a one-year deferred sentence, Briggs attended anger management and domestic abuse counseling, according to court records.
