Arrest made in Floyd County machete attack

ROME, Ga. - The man accused of attacking his girlfriend with a machete in Rome has been taken into custody.

U.S. Marshals in Texas arrested 30-year-old Clifford Whatley who had been on the run since earlier this month.

On August 22, officers were called to the Riverwood apartment complex on West 13th Street after reports of a woman being stabbed. Responding police officers found the victim had been attacked with a machete. Police identified the attacker as Whatley.

The woman was taken to Floyd Medical Center, then flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga for emergency surgery.

Investigators said the victim was trying to break up with Whatley.

Whatley has been charged with aggravated battery.