Ohio GOP lawmaker admits he 'undervalued Christ' as grand jury indicts him for assaulting family

An Ohio state legislator admits he "acted poorly" after he was indicted on domestic assault charges but still refuses to resign from his position.

A Summit County grand jury indicted state Rep. Bob Young (R-Green) on one count of domestic violence and one count of assault, which are each first-degree misdemeanors, in an incident earlier this month involving his wife and brother, and the Republican legislator said he would seek counseling but not step down, reported WEWS-TV.

"Recently, I have undervalued Christ as a priority in my family’s life," Young said. "I love my wife and my family, and they are most important to me. As a state representative with a business, and a busy family of six, my life has been very stressful lately. On this particular evening at my home, we had some drinks and I acted poorly and said things I shouldn’t have. My behavior, while not criminal, was inappropriate and out of character. I apologize to everyone involved, including and especially my wife and children. I also apologize to my constituents."

Sheriff's deputies said Young had been arguing with a friend July 7 around 1 a.m. when his wife stuck her hand in front of his face to "stop him from yelling," and the legislator grabbed her arm and struck her face with an open hand.

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His wife threatened to call police but Young took her phone and threw it into their pool, and an hour later she drove to her brother-in-law's house to "seek safe haven" with their children, deputies said, and the legislator followed her there.

Young's brother said he told him he wasn't welcome or allowed into the house, and he said the legislator "lowered his shoulder and charged" to get into the home, and then "a scuffle ensued."

The brother pushed back and shoved Young through a glass storm door, and both brothers were injured in the fight.

House speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) asked Young to resign from the seat he has held since 2021, but so far he has refused.

"I take pride in serving the people of my district and will continue to serve them even as I work through these issues," Young said. "I know there are better days ahead, which is why I’m voluntarily entering a counseling program to address some of the issues that led to this incident."