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FORTVILLE, Ind. — A Fortville man was arrested after he reportedly mentally abused a woman with autism, and threatened to kill her pet.

Barry Colip, 64, was charged with Neglect of a Dependent.

The Fortville Police Department was dispatched to Brooks Dr. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, on a welfare check of a woman in the street. Upon arriving to the scene, the officer found a woman crying hysterically in freezing weather. After speaking with the woman, she claimed that Colip said that he would kill her cat.

According to court documents, the officer believed that the woman had a speech impediment and intellectual disability. Authorities later learned that the victim did have Fragile X Syndrome, which causes mild to severe disabilities. The witness also stated that the suspect is is mentally abusive.

Colip allegedly told the victim that if she told police no-one would believe her because she has autism. The victim also stated that he raised his hand to hit her, but did not.

This is an active investigation. Information will be updated as it becomes available.