Michael Lamart Dennis II, 24, Minot, who was sentenced last week for beating and strangling his girlfriend when she was six months pregnant last March, is now facing a charge for beating the woman on Sunday.

Dennis and the woman had been fighting over custody of their baby daughter, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court.

According to the affidavit, Dennis’s ex-girlfriend had scratches on her body and swollen and bruised eyes. Dennis also allegedly attacked another man whom the woman had invited to her home.

Dennis and the woman had exchanged text messages prior to the incident taunting each other. The ex-girlfriend told police that she had asked Dennis to come over because she believed another man she had invited over was going to attack her. She told police she was able to get away and there was no assault and the man she invited over had passed out on her bed. She told police that Dennis kicked his way into her residence and then punched her in the face and tried to strangle her. Dennis then left with their daughter. The woman told police that she then walked the streets of Minot trying to find Dennis. According to the affidavit, she had gone to the home of Dennis’s current girlfriend to demand the return of the baby. The man that the alleged victim invited over to her home was not identified. The alleged victim texted Dennis photos of her injuries and he accused her of lying. They also argued in the text messages over who gets to keep the baby.

Dennis is also charged with violating a no contact order in June and again on Sunday.

All of the new charges against Dennis are misdemeanors, including B misdemeanor simple assault – domestic violence and two A misdemeanor violation of a court order.

Ward County Deputy State’s Attorney Todd Schwarz said the baby girl is currently in the custody of a relative, which is probably where she should stay for now.

In court on Tuesday, Judge Richard Hagar ordered Dennis not to have contact with his ex-girlfriend or with his baby daughter.

Dennis was sentenced last week to 18 months, all suspended but the three days he already served, and three years of supervised probation for assaulting the same woman in March. He entered an Alford plea, meaning he maintains his innocence.