Missoula Police Arrest Man for Assault on a Minor, Strangulation

On May 28, 2022, at approximately 10:10 a.m., Missoula Police Department officers were called to a report of an assault on a minor that occurred at a home in the 600 block of Whitaker Drive. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold picks up the story.

“Officers responded to a domestic disturbance involving a juvenile being strangled,” Arnold said. “On scene, officers contacted the juvenile and the responsible party who had called 911. Officers took statements and made observations of injuries. The juvenile’s parent reported the juvenile came to her crying and reported being hit by Jason McCallum. It was reported McCallum pulled her hair and then grabbed her by the throat. The juvenile reported experiencing symptoms of fading vision and hearing being muffled because of being strangled.”

According to court documents, the juvenile said McCallum grabbed her throat “very hard”, cutting off her ability to breathe. At one point, McCallum allegedly released the juvenile and slapped her across the face.

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“Officers spoke to the two additional juveniles who witnessed the incident and intervened to stop the strangulation,” Arnold said. “The responsible party reported McCallum has been violent towards them in the past and expressed a fear of McCallum killing them based on threats he has made in the past. Based on the preliminary investigation, the statements taken, and observations made, McCallum was arrested on charges of partner or family member assault, strangulation, and assault on a minor. This case in still under investigation with the Missoula Police Department.”

Officers spoke with McCallum, who admitted to having an argument with the juvenile based on her “disrespecting” him, but denied grabbing or slapping her during the argument. Officers arrested McCallum, at which point McCallum expressed his disbelief that officers would believe the word of children over his own.

McCallum is currently being charged with felony strangulation, felony assault on a minor, and partner or family member assault.

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.