Brandin M. Herniak is a Muncie resident in his 30s.
The arrest and allegations were reported by The Star Press, which detailed the full scope of the suspected offenses tied to the case. According to the outlet's report, Herniak was suspected of domestic battery, strangulation, criminal confinement, intimidation, pointing a firearm and threatening his girlfriend with a handgun, in addition to the injection allegation. The substance he allegedly injected into his girlfriend has not been identified.
Herniak was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 13, and was being held without bond in the Delaware County jail on Wednesday. No further details about formal charges, a case number, or the specific statutory counts against him have been made available.
What Remains Unknown About the Case
Several key questions about the case have not been answered in available reporting. It is not known whether a judge has since set, changed or denied bond for Herniak, or whether his no-bond status has continued. No court hearing date, plea or case disposition has been confirmed, and there has been no statement from Herniak, an attorney representing him, law enforcement or the alleged victim.
Domestic Violence Remains a Widespread Problem in Indiana
Cases like this one unfold against a backdrop of domestic violence statistics that paint a troubling picture nationally and in Indiana specifically. About 10 million people in the United States experience domestic violence each year, and roughly 20 people every minute are physically abused by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as cited by WSBT. Indiana ranks fifth among all states for its rate of domestic violence against women, per data from World Population Review cited in the same report.
The Center for Positive Change offers a 40-week Abuse Intervention Program for those seeking to change abusive behavior.
