PAWNEE COUNTY – Caleb Cushman, 37 of Larned, made his formal First Appearance Thursday afternoon in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff before Pawnee Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell on a three (3) count domestic violence Criminal Complaint, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.
Cushman is charged with one count of Attempted Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Domestic Battery (Strangulation), and one count of Misdemeanor Domestic Battery.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department after deputies were dispatched to a domestic situation in progress at a rural residence South of Larned the evening of March 23.
Deputies encountered multiple individuals outside the residence. Family members advised they could hear the couple fighting in a bedroom and intervened when they saw Cushman attempt to drag the victim back into the bedroom when she tried to flee. Cushman was subsequently taken into custody at the scene without incident. The victim was transported to the hospital for medical attention and later released.
Counsel was appointed to represent Cushman and a Preliminary Hearing was scheduled for April 8, 2026. Cushman remains in custody at the Pawnee County Jail with bond set at $100,000 cash or surety.
Under Kansas Law, “Aggravated Domestic Battery” means knowingly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat, neck or chest of a person with whom the offender is involved or has been involved in a dating relationship or a family or household member, when done in a rude, insulting or angry manner.