An Indiana mother who begged the courts for protection after years of alleged abuse was killed just three days later — after her emergency request went unsigned because it was filed on Christmas Day.
According to police and court records, Jeri Mains filed a petition for a protective order against her husband, Cecil Mains, on Christmas morning, describing repeated domestic violence carried out in front of their children. Because the filing occurred on a holiday, a judge was unable to review or approve the order while court offices were closed.
Three days later, Jeri was dead.
Authorities say the couple’s 10-year-old daughter made the devastating 911 call on Sunday afternoon, telling dispatchers that her father had shot her mother and fled the scene. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by local ABC affiliate WRTV, the child reported that her father had a gun and escaped in a gray Toyota Tundra.
Court records reviewed by WRTV and The Indianapolis Star show that Jeri filed the protective order after an alleged assault on Christmas Eve. In the petition, she accused Cecil Mains, 46, of attacking her with kitchen tongs, leaving her with a laceration and bruises.
Court officials confirmed the existence of the filing to Law&Crime but said the petition remains confidential.
The filing outlined a disturbing pattern of escalating violence. According to the IndyStar, Jeri alleged that earlier in December her husband punched a computer during an argument, sending hot chocolate splashing onto her. In November, she claimed he punched her in the face, causing a bloody nose and bruising. She also accused him of smashing the driver’s side window of her truck earlier in the year and repeatedly threatening to kill their four children and their pets.
On Christmas Eve, Jeri reportedly met Cecil in a court parking lot after telling him she wanted a divorce. In her petition, she said she recorded a conversation in which he threatened to kill himself in front of her and their children.
Because Marion County courts were closed from Dec. 24 through Dec. 28, a judge never reviewed the emergency request, the IndyStar reported.
Police say that on Sunday, Cecil Mains shot and killed Jeri in front of their four children, then left her body in the driveway before fleeing the scene. He was arrested the following day after officers spotted his truck and conducted a traffic stop.
The couple’s children — ages 19, 17, 14, and 10 — are now without their mother.
“These kids have endured more than any child ever should,” a GoFundMe created for the family states. “Jeri was tragically taken. All their lives have changed.”
Cecil Mains is currently being held without bond at the Marion County Jail on a preliminary charge of murder as the case moves forward.
This POS should have killed himself, like he threatened to do. Cowardly POS.
Aren’t Amerikan judges the absolute best!!!!!
lol lol 😂
We’re all victims of their incompetence!!!
I must repeat what acop told me when I knew if a problem with someone kidnapping a child, he said the law is as asshole as they do nothing until you are dead.I have found that to be true.Someone is very guilty if this murder