Fort Lauderdale Officer Arrested for Assaulting Pregnant Girlfriend

Timothy Skaggs, a Fort Lauderdale police officer, was arrested and faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated battery on a pregnant victim, false imprisonment, domestic battery, witness tampering, and robbery by sudden snatching, following an incident where he allegedly assaulted his pregnant girlfriend while on duty and in uniform. The assault reportedly began after the woman confronted Skaggs about his ongoing relationship with his wife and threatened to call her, leading to Skaggs physically restraining and striking the woman, attempting to prevent her and her children from calling for help. The victim detailed that Skaggs pinned her down, struck her face multiple times, and strangled her with enough force to hurt but not obstruct breathing, with her children present during the incident. After his arrest, Skaggs allegedly contacted the victim, urging her to recant her statements and falsely claim she had been drinking. Skaggs denies the physical abuse allegations, claiming the victim struck him, though no visible injuries were noted on him. Fort Lauderdale Police Chief William Schultz stated the department does not tolerate such behavior, and Skaggs has been placed on administrative leave pending formal charges.