Founder of anti-domestic violence group tries to strangle his son, KY cops say

A man who co-founded an anti-domestic violence nonprofit now faces domestic violence accusations from his son, Kentucky authorities say.

The Henderson Police Department said the victim told officers his father, 55-year-old Michael “Jay” Randolph, strangled him, leaving bruises on his neck.

Randolph, according to WFIE and WEHT, co-founded the Chloe Randolph Foundation with his wife. The nonprofit is named for Randolph’s daughter, who the outlets say was killed by her estranged husband.

Their son said the May 30 incident stemmed from an argument about his dogs and wanting to move out of his parent’s house, police said.

“(Randolph) pushed him up against his bedroom window and put both hands around (his son’s) neck, strangling him and impeding his breathing for approximately a minute,” according to police, citing the son’s testimony. “(The son) stated (Randolph) let go once he realized what he was doing.”

The victim’s children were in the home at the time of the incident, but it’s unclear if there were any witnesses to the fight, police said.

In an interview with officers, the father said he was defending himself from his son’s attack, according to the citation. He said his son lunged and bumped into him using his chest, police said.

The father refuted allegations he choked or strangled his son, telling officers the bruise mark must’ve come from when he pushed his son away in self-defense, police said.

Police said the son claimed he never lunged at his father.

Randolph was charged with first-degree strangulation, court records show. He was jailed and released on bond May 31.

The Chloe Randolph Organization — based in Henderson — has aimed to raise awareness of domestic violence while also providing services to domestic-violence survivors.

Kristie Randolph told WFIE her husband no longer had an active role with the nonprofit.

”It doesn’t end here. The mission and vision doesn’t end here,” she said. “The last couple days have been exactly like the last couple of days of (our daughter’s) murder.”

Henderson is about a 130-mile drive southwest from Louisville.

This story was originally published June 4, 2025 at 8:20 AM with the headline "Founder of anti-domestic violence group tries to strangle his son, KY cops say."