Police say a 21-year-old told officers she needed help when they arrived at a Terrell Heights home on Dec. 29.
SAN ANTONIO, TX — A San Antonio mother is speaking publicly after her 21-year-old daughter reported being assaulted and restrained at a North Side home on Dec. 29, leading officers to arrest 34-year-old Eric Tong, a military dentist. The woman told officers she had been attacked and held as she tried to leave.
Police and family accounts place the incident at a residence in Terrell Heights, a neighborhood on the city’s North Side. Officers say they found the woman at the door around 1:30 p.m., with visible injuries, and took Tong into custody inside the home. Tong faces multiple felony counts, and records show he has held a military dental post in San Antonio. The mother described frantic hours that ended when her daughter quietly sent a text for help. The case is in its early stages, and investigators are gathering statements and physical evidence.
According to the mother, her daughter met Tong at church about two months ago. The relationship moved quickly, and the two began living together at the North Side address. Tension built over the weekend, the mother said, after an argument on Sunday night prompted the daughter to pack her belongings. The daughter agreed to stay the night because it was late, the mother said. She recounted what followed as a prolonged, violent stretch before daybreak. “She was probably tortured for several hours until she was able to get a text out,” the mother said, adding that her family’s names are being withheld for safety and privacy. Police say they were called to the Pinecrest block the next afternoon and found Tong at the residence.
Officials say the woman told officers she had been assaulted multiple times and kept from leaving. When officers arrived, they reported markings on her body consistent with a struggle. Tong was arrested at the scene on charges that include aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, along with counts tied to unlawful restraint and impeding breath or circulation. Jail records show he was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center. The mother shared a brief audio clip she said captured a call shortly before the arrest, in which she confronted her daughter and referenced a beating while a man was heard in the background. In another recounting, the daughter repeatedly said she needed to check on tea, a phrase the mother took as a coded plea.
The mother said her daughter regained a measure of safety by finding Tong’s phone and sending a text that she then deleted. “She had the courage and bravery to find his phone and text me that Eric beat her,” the mother said. Police say the woman met them at the door and asked for help when they arrived. The mother said her daughter described being slapped, strangled into unconsciousness, and sexually assaulted after she woke. She also alleged a loaded firearm was pointed at her head and that he threatened to kill her. Authorities have not released a full probable cause affidavit. Investigators say the immediate timeline includes the Sunday night dispute, the Monday afternoon response by officers, and the on-site arrest. What led to the escalation inside the home remains under review.
Joint Base San Antonio officials say Tong previously served in the Army, and records list him as a military dentist stationed in San Antonio through late November. State licensing records show his Texas dental license remains active. Fort Sam Houston is home to Army medical and dental units, and personnel often live off post in nearby neighborhoods like Terrell Heights. Domestic violence and sexual assault cases involving military members can involve both civilian and military authorities. In San Antonio, the Special Victims Unit typically works with prosecutors to determine charges and to coordinate with military liaisons when needed. Past cases show that local prosecutors lead when crimes are alleged off base, while military commands may conduct parallel administrative reviews.
Prosecutors will decide whether to present the case to a Bexar County grand jury. If indicted, charges such as aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon carry the possibility of lengthy prison sentences. Court records were not yet available with an initial appearance date. Police say they have documented injuries and have taken statements. Any firearm recovered would be logged as evidence. Military spokespeople say service records and any previous disciplinary history are reviewed when a service member or recent veteran is accused of a violent felony. The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners can open a disciplinary inquiry once criminal allegations surface, and it may impose temporary restrictions or take action after court proceedings advance.
Neighbors in Terrell Heights described a steady presence of police cars on Monday afternoon. One resident said officers moved quickly to secure the block while detectives went in and out of the single-story house. The mother said her daughter is now staying with family and is beginning medical and counseling appointments. “I was very concerned. I had several red flags with him,” the mother said, recalling her first impressions. Asked what she would say to Tong, she replied, “I hope he goes to prison for life.” Friends of the family have left flowers near the driveway, and relatives say the woman’s small dog was retrieved from the house after the arrest.
As of early Thursday, the investigation continues, and formal court filings are pending. Officials say more information could be released once an initial appearance is scheduled next week. The mother says her daughter is resting at home and cooperating with detectives.
Author note: Last updated January 1, 2026.