PD: NFL's Amari Spievey Charged in Domestic Assault Over Child Support

An NFL football player and Middletown resident was arrested this week after getting into a physical fight with his girlfriend and mother of his 2-year-old, over child support payment, according to police.

Detroit Lions player Amari B. Spievey, 24, of Dove Lane, was arrested March 26 at 3:58 p.m., according to the report, after Middletown police were called to his home about a domestic dispute.

Earlier this month, Spievey signed a one-year contract with the Lions, according to ESPN, who reports "the 5-foot-11, 195-pound safety started two games last season, but he was placed on injured reserve in mid-November because of a concussion."

On March 11, LisaMarie Santos, 26, of Dove Lane told officers Spievey, her live-in boyfriend and father of her 2-year-old daughter, had fought over child support, according to the report, and he "put his hand around her neck and pushed her."

The report says the couple were inside their apartment talking while Spievey was holding the girl, telling her "not to be crazy like her mother," when Santos asked him about money he owed her for bills.

The report says Spievey told her to take him to court for the money while "putting his fingers in her face," so Santos pushed his hand away. Spievey, still holding the girl, allegedly responded by yelling in her face so Santos said she pushed his chest, to which he pushed her back.

Santos told officers she tried to take her daughter away unsuccessfully and he pushed her again, causing her to fall against a counter.

Spievey told officers the argument took place as he was on his way to the gym and Santos tried to pull his daughter away but was unable so she grabbed his throat two times, the report indicates, then "threw a flurry of punches" at his chest. 

Spievey told officers he pays $3,000 a month for child support and lets Santos drive his car and she was angry that he was "trying to short her" money. The report says Spievey indicated he will pay anything for his daughter but will not pay for Santos to go shopping and pay off her student loans.

He was charged with risk of injury to a child, disorderly conduct and third-degree assault; while Santos was charged with risk of injury to a child and disorderly conduct. Both were released on a $5,000 non-surety bond.  

Both appeared in court on March 27 and their cases were continued to April 11.

According to Xavier High School, in April 2010, Spievey (Class of 2006) was picked second in the third round of the NFL Draft, 66th overall, by the Detroit Lions.

Also that month, the Daily Iowan wrote an extensive feature about the Hawkeye cornerback, who at Xavier "scored the first time he touched a football in a varsity game."

In October 2012, Spievey's cousin, in a bar fight on the other side of the world where he played professional basketball for Romanian club CSS Giurgiu. He was 23 years old.