MINOT (AP) - A man jailed on a domestic assault charge against his mother told police to go to his home because "something bad" had happened there, court documents say.

Police said they went to the home of Jay Washek, 42, of Minot, early Monday morning and found the body of Jennifer Erickson, 28, of Plaza, in a bedroom, with a phone cord wrapped tightly around her neck.

Washek was charged with Class AA murder. He appeared Tuesday before Judge William McLees, who ordered him held without bail.

Authorities said Washek pleaded guilty earlier, in municipal court, to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge and was sentenced to 15 days in jail.

Police said in court files that Washek was jailed on the assault charge at 2:20 a.m. Monday, and while in jail, he asked officers to have someone check his home. Erickson's body was found there an hour later.

Washek asked for a court-appointed attorney Tuesday. McLees appointed Bob Martin and set a preliminary hearing date of May 31.

Police and family members said Washek and Erickson are the parents of a 4-year-old boy who lived with his father, and that Washek is the stepson of the late Judge Glenn Dill. Erickson had worked at a Parshall nursing home.