Just after midnight on February 5, 2008, YCSO deputies responded to a reported family fight in the 13000 block of Main Street in Mayer, Arizona. Upon arrival, they detained a male, identified as Joseph Trueblood, age 50, who was running from the location. Deputies found two females inside who were identified as Trueblood’s 50 year-old girlfriend (victim) and her 54 year-old-sister. The victim had obvious visible injuries, including facial bruises and was bleeding from the mouth. Deputies learned from the victim’s sister, that Trueblood had pinned the victim against a couch and punched her in the face several times. When the sister tried to intervene, Trueblood grabbed her around the neck and pushed her up against a wall. She was able to escape and call 9-1-1. The victim was transported to Prescott Valley Medical Center for treatment. Trueblood was arrested for two counts of Domestic Violence Assault and booked.

 

During case follow-up by YCSO Detectives, they learned that the victim was now in a comatose state as a result of the injuries sustained during the February 5 assault. Through interviews with hospital personnel and the victim’s sister, Detectives discovered that the victim had been released from the hospital on February 6, the day following the assault. Since then, the victim had returned several times complaining of pain and swelling around her eyes and mouth. At one point, her breathing became unstable and she was admitted to Prescott Valley Medical Center on February 15, 2008, and placed on breathing assistance.

On February 16, 2008, she was transferred to a medical center in Phoenix for necessary specialized treatment. On February 21, 2008, YCSO Detectives were told that the victim was in a coma. During ongoing medical exams and treatment, it was discovered the victim had a broken jaw and sustained a severe infection from this injury to her neck and jaw area. During a recent operation, much of the tissue area around the victim’s neck had been removed in an attempt to slow infection. The trauma from these injuries has also resulted in degeneration of some of the victim’s vital organs. The victim is currently on dialysis due to kidney failure and remains in critical condition.

During follow-up by YCSO Detectives, they discovered that Trueblood had been beating the victim over a period of several years. As a result of this extensive investigation, Trueblood, who remains in-custody, had charges modified to include 4 counts of felony Aggravated Assault and 1 count of Unlawful Imprisonment. YCSO Detectives continues to monitor the victim’s condition each day as the case moves forward in court.