The state has dismissed, without prejudice, charges filed against a Seymour man after an incident in early fall.

James E. Watkins was arrested for neglect of a dependent, perjury/obstruction of justice and battery of a child under the age of 14 by a person over 18 after the Sept. 24 incident outside his residence.

A witness called police saying Watkins had thrown a bike at and punched his child outside his apartment on South O’Brien Street before forcing the child inside their home.

When they arrived on scene, police said Watkins would not let them talk to the child initially, leading to additional charges.

Angela June Watkins, who arrived at the scene during the incident, also was arrested on all of the same charges as James but without the battery of a child under the age of 14 by a person over 18, which is a Level 6 felony.

Police said Angela refused to let officers inside her home before speaking with a lawyer.

Prosecutor Jeffrey Chalfant said Angela did not have any charges filed against her after the arrest.

Chalfant said both the minor and Angela said under sworn testimony that no crime happened. He said the probable cause affidavit was consistent with what the two told police that night.

A case dismissed without prejudice means the state could bring charges related to the same incident in the future.