Man who allegedly beat woman with frying pan makes initial appearance in court

"I wanted to be here but I'm still hospitalized. Nobody deserves this."

That was the statement read Thursday in court by an advocate from Amberly's Place on behalf of a victim who suffered multiple fractures to her skull, neck and hand after allegedly being beaten with a frying pan.

Dylan Escalanti, who made his initial appearance in court Thursday, is being held on five charges in connection to the attack, all of which involve domestic violence: attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful imprisonment and two counts of endangerment.

Yuma Justice of the Peace Greg Stewart explained to Escalanti that he would return to court on Monday to learn if prosecutors file a criminal complaint against him, charging him with any offenses.

The only time Escalanti spoke during the brief hearing was to tell the judge that attorney Priscella Prettybird would be representing him.

The Amberly's Place advocate asked for the highest bond allowed, which Stewart set at $500,000.

According to the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, a 911 call at about 2:21 p.m. Tuesday reported an assault in progress at 2555 W. 4th Place, Apt. 1. When deputies arrived, they found a female victim in her early 30s who was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center.

Although severely beaten, she was conscious and able to speak with YCSO investigators Tuesday evening.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for the apartment and spent the next several hours gathering evidence and taking photos of the scene.

Escalanti turned himself in to YCSO the following day and was immediately taken into custody.