FAIRFIELD — A Fairfield man on Sunday attacked his girlfriend and choked her while she held onto their 1-month-old baby, police said.

The man, Donnel A. Bou, 19, was arrested on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, domestic-violence reckless conduct, and domestic-violence assault. He was also arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court in connection with a motion to enforce restitution for a previous charge of aggravated assault.

Fairfield officer Jacob Pierce said the charges stemmed from a domestic disturbance complaint made by a neighbor at 12:47 p.m. Sunday. Pierce arrived at 44 Military Ave. and spoke with Bou and the girlfriend, who have been together for three years and were living with Bou’s parents at the residence.

Both Bou and the 22-year-old girlfriend said they had been arguing about a day trip, Pierce said.

“They told me they were arguing; he didn’t want the infant baby to go to the lake,” Pierce said.

Bou then pushed his girlfriend, who held their baby girl, and she punched him back in retaliation, he said. As she turned to walk out the front door, still holding the baby, he grabbed her by the throat and squeezed, according to Pierce. She was able to break free of the choke-hold and Pierce arrived soon after that.

Bou freely admitted what he had done to his girlfriend, Pierce said, but “I don’t think he cared or realized he was endangering the baby.”

Pierce said he did not charge the girlfriend because “I considered the punching him back to be in self defense.” Although ambulances responded, she did not have any visible injuries that required medical attention, Pierce said.

Bou was taken to the Somerset County jail, where he remained on Monday. He’s scheduled to appear in court Sept. 21.

Scott Monroe — 861-9239

smonroe@centralmaine.com