Md. woman speaks out on domestic violence after cleared of charges of pouring hot grits on husband

A Capitol Heights woman was arrested last year and accused of pouring hot grits on her husband while he slept and then knocking him out with a baseball bat. A year later, she said everyone got it wrong.

These days, Alexis Staton is trying to start over. She was found not guilty after being charged with second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

"It was a horrible experience for me and my children because my kids were being taunted and teased at school quite often because of it, and it was a nightmare," she said.

This was a case that made headlines nationally. Even so, Staton said she was the victim.

"He wasn't asleep and it wasn't done deliberately," she told FOX 5. "There was a restraining order in place. My husband and I have a long history of violence."

Staton said she was defending herself in a physical altercation with her husband at the time. Her husband, who was covered with burns and bloodied, reportedly flagged down a stranger who called 911.

Staton was in custody ten hours before being released and ultimately cleared on all charges.

"I lost my job and I try not to think about that because I think about I'm blessed that I was able to make it through regardless," said Staton. "Domestic violence is real. People sometimes think that you have to be physically abused for it to be considered domestic violence. But it's not. You have verbal, emotional, financial and my husband had me in all categories."

She remains separated from her husband, and although he was not charged in this incident, he does have a documented history of domestic violence.

Staton said she wanted to share her story to raise awareness about domestic violence and mental illness.