A battered woman, who Marion police said was allegedly beaten “nearly unrecognizable” by her boyfriend, was one of three parties arrested after a violent conflict erupted in the 500 block of N. Cedar St. early Saturday morning.

Officer Mike Stone said it was not exactly clear what triggered the violence between Marion live-in couple Jason Anderson, 41, and Melissa Fisher, 37. The official offense report indicated the person charged with aggravated battery against Fisher was suspected of using alcohol and drugs.

“It was one of the worst beatings I have ever seen,” Stone said. “Her face was severely swollen.”

He said, however, that Fisher refused medical attention and attempts to “help her get out of an abusive situation” while officers searched for Anderson, who had fled the scene on foot.

Stone said Legion, Marion’s canine officer, picked up Anderson’s trail and tracked it over concrete and hard-packed dirt to a shed about three blocks away where he, his dog, and two other officers confronted Anderson.

“He surrendered immediately,” Stone said.

Stone said that after Anderson was placed in handcuffs Anderson allegedly asked, “So what are you going to do about the drugs?”

Anderson allegedly described for officers where in the house they could find .02 grams of methamphetamines, 1 gram of marijuana and assorted pipes, straws, and syringes allegedly used to consume drugs.

“He wasn’t shaky,” Stone said, “and he wasn’t acting like he was on meth.”

Officers obtained a search warrant, then searched the house and found $40 worth of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Fisher and another Marion woman, Christi Hayes, 44, were later arrested on charges of possession of marijuana, methamphetamines, and drug paraphernalia.

Anderson faces charges of aggravated battery, possession of marijuana, methamphetamines, and paraphernalia.