An Iowa City man has been accused of abusing the mother of his child.

Emery Bakwanzila, 32, was charged on Sept. 22 with domestic abuse/assault impeding air/blood flow causing injury.

According to the arrest affidavit, the victim and Bakwanzila began arguing Sunday evening about Bakwanzila’s drinking habits and his habit of not being present with their child.

This argument led to Bakwanzila pushing the victim to the ground and repeatedly punching her in the face. This attack resulted in bleeding and swelling of the victim’s face, the affidavit said.

Bakwanzila then began to choke the victim. This lasted for four minutes and limited the victim’s ability to breathe or speak, the affidavit said.

According to the affidavit, the attack ended when Bakwanzila’s brother entered the apartment and separated the two. Bakwanzila fled the scene and returned while the police were still present.

Domestic abuse/assault impeding air/blood flow causing injury is a Class-D felony.