Police called to Daubenmeyer home weeks before explosions
9/1/2017
The remains of the Daubenmeyer family's home along U.S. 20-A just west of Swanton, where the Fulton County Sheriff's Office confirmed a body was recovered after a home explosion late Wednesday in Swan Creek Township.
THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT
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SWANTON – Another argument at the Daubenmeyer house had turned physical.
Fulton County sheriff's deputies returned Aug. 16 to 2513 U.S. 20-A, just west of Swanton. A neighbor said it appeared Terry Daubenmeyer struck his wife.
Mr. Daubenmeyer, 56, would not cooperate with responding officers. Deputies said he could put on a shirt prior to arrest, but they would have to follow him, an incident report states.
“I then saw his hands start to clinch and his face was getting red. He then said that we are going to have issues and we are not leaving here alive,” the deputy wrote.
READ MORE: Domestic violence call leads police to home before fire, explosions started
The deputy and another deputy were able to place Mr. Daubenmeyer in custody with no harm to law enforcement.
A review of sheriff's office reports shows 10 calls to the residence in two years for domestic disputes and related complaints. They accuse Mr. Daubenmeyer of repeatedly shoving his wife and further ignoring the orders of law enforcement at his property.
That same residence exploded Wednesday evening from a propane leak. Sheriff's officials said they believe a man inside started the fire.
One unidentified person was killed. Authorities would not say whether the victim is Mr. Daubenmeyer. A woman and two children safely escaped.
Deputies responded about 5:19 p.m. for a domestic violence call. Swanton police said Mr. Daubenmeyer's wife, Jennifer Daubenmeyer, 46, and two teenage children tried leaving the residence. Instead, Mr. Daubenmeyer reportedly shattered their car windshields with bricks, according to police.
Earlier that day, Ms. Daubenmeyer visited the sheriff's office and said she was in contact with a victim advocate. She intended to obtain a temporary protection order, according to a sheriff's office report.
Ms. Daubenmeyer declined an interview request from The Blade on Friday.
Mr. Daubenmeyer's involvement with Swanton police includes a February, 2015 traffic stop. He told the officer he was tired of police shining lights into his windows at night, an incident report states.
“I am going to put a hog farm in and stink the whole [expletive] village out,” he said, according to police.
Mr. Daubenmeyer attempted to drive away, and later threatened to fight the officer, police said.
Swanton Local School District has offered assistance for any student struggling after the fatal explosion. Officials made available counselors at the high school and helped collect funds.
Many came forward with bags of clothes and donations. The school hosted collections, but it was village residents who filled the need, said Superintendent Chris Lake.
“That's what schools do. That's what little communities like Swanton do when kids are in trouble,” Mr. Lake said.
Those interested in donating can visit a Fifth Third Bank branch and mention the Daubenmeyer fund.
Staff writer Allison Reamer contributed to this report.
Contact Ryan Dunn at rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095 or on Twitter @rdunnblade.