Marshall Man Charged with Assault, Child Endangerment After Parking Lot Incident

Benjamin Allen Clay accused of trying to remove child from ex-wife's vehicle, punching her in the stomach

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 25-year-old Marshall man named Benjamin Allen Clay has been charged with third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and violation of a child protection order after an incident last September in a Marshall parking lot. Clay allegedly tried to remove a child from his ex-wife's vehicle and punched her in the stomach when she tried to stop him.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of domestic disputes and child custody issues, as well as the importance of enforcing protective orders to ensure the safety of victims and children involved. It also raises questions about how law enforcement responds to such incidents and whether more can be done to prevent escalation of violence.

The details

According to the probable cause statement, Clay spotted his ex-wife's vehicle at a Marshall business in September 2025 and parked in front of it, blocking one of the exits. He then allegedly tried to open the rear door and remove a child from the car seat, prompting the ex-wife to try to pull him away. Clay is accused of punching the ex-wife twice in the stomach during the altercation.

  • The incident occurred in a Marshall parking lot in September 2025.
  • An arrest warrant for Clay was issued on February 26, 2026.

The players

Benjamin Allen Clay

A 25-year-old Marshall man who has been charged with third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and violation of a child protection order.

The victim

Clay's ex-wife, who was cleaning out her vehicle when the incident occurred.

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What they’re saying

“Clay allegedly told them that he believed an ex parte order against him was no longer in place because he and his ex-wife were in contact.”

— Benjamin Allen Clay (kmmo.com)

“The victim then attempted to grab Clay by the waist to pull him away, alleging that Clay punched her in the stomach twice.”

— The victim, Clay's ex-wife (kmmo.com)

What’s next

A hearing has not yet been scheduled for Clay, who is being held on $5,000 cash or surety bond with no contact with the victim or their child.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of domestic disputes and the importance of enforcing protective orders to ensure the safety of victims and children. It also raises questions about how law enforcement can better respond to and prevent the escalation of violence in such situations.