Ledyard -- Mike France, 50, a first-term Town Council member, was arrested late Sunday afternoon and charged with second-degree breach of peace.

According to the police report. Ledyard police responded to a reported disturbance the parking lot of St. Luke Lutheran Church on Route 12 in Gales Ferry around 5:43 p.m. Sunday. The report says officers learned an argument had taken place in the parking lot between a father his 17-year-old daughter. The daughter reported that she had been slapped across the face by her father. The daughter's brother said he had witnessed the incident.

"It's a personal family matter between my daughter and myself," France said.

France, of 17 Garden Drive, Gales Ferry, also serves as chair of the Town Council's Board of Finance and recently ran as the Republican candidate for the 42nd State House District seat.

France is scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court Nov. 19.

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