MONTICELLO — A deputy was injured Thursday night whileresponding to a domestic disturbance call, according to SheriffJoel Thames.

Deputy Ray Smith’s ankle was broken during a “scuffle” whileattempting to break up a dispute between Michael Mullins, 30, ofRt. 1 Box 99, Monticello, and his mother, Ann Hyde, and stepfather,Jerry Hyde, at their Carmel-New Hope Road home, Thames said.Mullins fled into the woods following the incident and Smith calledfor help.

Smith was transferred by ambulance to Lawrence County Hospitaland then again to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center inMcComb. He was released Friday morning.

Mullins was arrested by deputies at his home around 8:15 a.m.Friday. He is charged with felony assault on a police officer,disturbance of family and resisting arrest.

Criminal Investigator Jimmy Barton said they are not sure howlong Smith will be unable to perform his duties because of theinjury. He said it was the small bone of the ankle that was brokenand Smith will know more after he visits the doctor Wednesday.

“It’s possible there have been some ligaments or tendons torn,”Barton said.

Barton said if those tissues have been damaged, it will be sixto eight weeks before Smith can return. If not, he will be back intwo to three weeks.

“They’re leaning more towards the two to three weeks at thispoint,” Barton said.