Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov.16, 2025, at approximately 12:33 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 7300 block of State Highway 36 in Carlotta for a reported physical assault. While en route, deputies were advised that the suspect had attacked his 70-year-old mother and fled the scene.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted the 70-year-old female victim, who reported that her son, 43-year-old Matthew Warren Bowen had physically attacked her. She told deputies that she attempted to lock herself in a bedroom to prevent further assault, but Bowen forced his way inside, struck her multiple times and slammed her into the furniture. The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require immediate medical attention. Deputies contacted the on-call judge, who granted an emergency protective order for the victim.

Deputies searched the surrounding area for Bowen, but he was not located.

At approximately 8:06 a.m., deputies were dispatched back to the residence after a neighbor called the Humboldt County Emergency Communications Center to report that Bowen had returned. Upon arrival, deputies searched the property and eventually located Bowen hiding in a crawlspace underneath the house. He refused multiple commands to exit, and after several hours of negotiations, deputies sought a warrant for his arrest. Once the warrant was obtained, deputies again attempted to get Bowen to surrender, but he continued to refuse. Deputies then deployed less-lethal chemical agents into the crawlspace.

Bowen subsequently exited the crawlspace and surrendered to deputies without further incident. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he was booked on the following charges:

  • 273.6(a) P.C. Violation of domestic violence court order
  • 368(b)(1) P.C. Cause injury to dependent adult
  • 1203.2(a)(1) P.C. Violation of probation
  • 148(a)(1) P.C. Resist/Obstruct peace officer
  • 245(a)(4) P.C.  Assault likely to produce great bodily injury

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.