Is 10 Years in Prison Enough for This Shreveport Wife-Beater?
The book on one of Shreveport's most egregious cases of spousal abuse and child endangerment is finally closed.
Back in February of 2020, Shreveport police responded to a frantic and terrified 911 call from a 10-year-old who was hiding in his closet with his 8 and 4-year old siblings. The boy reportedly told law enforcement officials that his father was hurting his mother and had done so before. The assault was still happening when officers with the SPD arrived, so they kicked in the locked door of the master bedroom to find 30-year old Christopher Michael Rapp standing over his estranged and clearly battered wife. Rapp has since admitted guilt in the crime
WRAL is reporting that on Monday, Shreveport Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr. handed down a prison sentence of 2 years on the charge abuse with child endangerment and the maximum of 8 years for domestic abuse battery with serious injury.
According to the report, the eldest sibling stayed on the phone with 911 dispatchers for 14 minutes detailing the attack. Had it not been for his bravery, Rapp may have gotten away with it or ended up committing a more heinous crime. Rapp's unnamed wife was reportedly so scared, she refused to cooperate with prosecutors in their effort to bring her attacker to justice. Luckily, they proceeded anyway - and Rapp finally admitted to his crime on Monday.
Following the sentencing, Judge Hathaway also signed a permanent order that would bar Rapp from contacting his wife and the couple's oldest child.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic abuse, don't hesitate to call the Domestic Violence Hotline at (318) 226-5015 or (888) 411-1333.