Seneca man charged with assaulting girlfriend

The McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a second-degree assault charge today against a Seneca man who allegedly assaulted his girlfriend after she caught him involved in a solitary sex act during a SnapChat conversation with his 15-year-old cousin.

An arrest warrant was issued for Trinton Wyatte Lane Welch (DOB 2006) with bond set at $2,000.

From the probable cause statement:

On 11/16/2025 at approximately 11:20 hours, I Deputy Stribling was dispatched to . The call was in regards to a physical domestic disturbance.

Upon arrival, I made contact with and Trinton Welch at the camper on the property. I was familiar with both individuals due to prior incidents. I asked Trinton to go into the camper while I spoke with {her}.

I asked what happened in regards to the physical domestic. {She} informed me she had previously heard rumors that her boyfriend Trinton was sending and receiving naked photos from his 15-year-old
cousin who lived in Oklahoma. 

{She} stated prior to today (11/16/2025) she did not have any proof. {She}informed me she caught Trinton with his penis in his hand, while snap chatting his 15-year-old cousin.

{She} informed me she became upset and began a verbal altercation with Trinton. {She} stated Trinton got upset and called his mother and his grandmother and went outside the camper. {She} informed me that she informed Trinton that she had proof that he had been physically assaulting her. 

{She} stated Trinton turned his camera on and stated, "You want to see brain damage now bitch?" 

{She} stated Trinton grabbed her by the throat using his right hand while holding his phone in his left hand. informed me she almost lost consciousness multiple times. {She} stated she began hitting Trinton to get him to stop choking her. .

{She} stated Trinton stopped and went outside the camper. {She} stated she found one of Trinton's old phones due to him taking her phone and called Law Enforcement. I asked if she wanted to pursue charges on Trinton. stated she did.

I observed {her} to have red marks on her chest and her neck. I observed back of her arms. I took photographs of the injuries, which I later uploaded to this report.

I made contact with Trinton in the trailer. I asked Trinton what happened in regards to the physical domestic. Trinton informed me {she} and him got into a verbal argument. Trinton informed me he contacted his mother and grandmother via telephone. Trinton stated {she} slapped him in the face. 

Trinton stated he defended {himself} by choking {her}. I informed Trinton to place his hands behind his back and that he was under arrest, to which he complied. I walked Trinton to my patrol vehicle and placed him in the back.

Trinton was later read his Miranda Rights and agreed to speak with me. Trinton admitted to choking {her} but claimed it was self defense due to being slapped by {her}. Trinton did not have any marks observed on him and stated that he did not have any marks.