A grieving fiance is talking about losing the woman he loves, who was beaten to death last week.
Sheriff's deputies say an ex-boyfriend took her life. 17 News has learned 24-year-old Travis Brown has a violent past.
He's accused of beating 39-year-old Charla Haar to death with a baseball bat. Haar, a mother of four, was found dead inside her east Bakersfield home Friday morning.
"I'm sad. It's really unbelievable," said Haar's fiance, Michael Webber.
Webber says he and Haar were engaged for the past year and had one child together.
"I'm sad they took our kids. I'm tired of crying. I just want to get the kids back," said Webber.
But, Webber says Haar's four children, all with separate fathers, are now in protective custody.
Court documents show Haar had previously filed for child support from the other three dads, including Travis Brown.
"An investigation determined that her ex-boyfriend, Travis Brown, was responsible for her injuries. What we were able to determine was that Brown and Haar became involved in an argument inside the residence and during the argument Brown struck her several times with a baseball bat," said Ray Pruitt, Kern County Sheriff's Department.
Brown was booked into the Kern County Jail on one count of first degree murder.
This isn't his first run-in with the law. In 2008, Brown was arrested for a felony charge of animal cruelty. Court documents, obtained by 17 News, show Brown pleaded no contest to kicking and severely injuring a three-pound puppy at least two times. Brown spent a year and a half behind bars.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, call the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. There is 24-hour hotline at 327-1091. Services are free and confidential.
Travis Brown is due in court Tuesday.
