Detroit police arrest man wanted for beating, strangling woman and 3-year-old son

DETROIT – Detroit police have arrested a 31-year-old man accused of beating and strangling a woman and their 3-year-old child. 

Police were looking for Jessie Ruffin Sr., who police said has an assaultive past. Such reports have been filed against him in the past. His photo was released Friday afternoon, and he was arrested shortly after at his father's house in the 19700 block of Beaconsfield, police said. 

Ruffin beat and strangled the mother of the 3-year-old son they share, and he beat and strangled the boy, police said.

The woman was beaten unconscious and the 3-year-old to near unconsciousness. They are expected to survive.

There were two other kids in the house during the incident, which occurred at a home on Detroit's west side.

Detroit Police Lt. Franklin Hayes calls Ruffin a terrible person.

"Who would beat a mother and child like this?" said Hayes. "Mr. Ruffin, turn yourself in. Because we will find you," 

This is a developing story. Jason Colthorp will have the latest on Local 4 News at 5.

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Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.