Rome Police: Man attacks girlfriend with machete

ROME, Ga. - Police in Rome are searching for a man accused of attacking his girlfriend with a machete. 

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 the victim's boyfriend, Clifford Whatley. 

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

Whatley, who remains at large, is wanted for aggravated battery. Investigators said he could be driving the victim's gold 2006 Ford Taurus. 

Anyone with information on Whatley's whereabouts is asked to call the Rome Police Department at 706-238-5120.