A Cobb County father of three remained hospitalized in a medically induced coma Wednesday, five days after being stabbed outside a bar, according to police.

What started as a verbal altercation outside The Place Bar & Grill on Sandy Plains Road quickly escalated when John Thomas Myer allegedly stabbed Jeffrey Nelms once in the chest early Saturday, Detective Christopher Lindsey with Marietta police said.

Myer, 28, of Smyrna, was arrested less than a mile away during a traffic stop and charged with one count of aggravated assault, Lindsey said. Myer was booked into the Cobb County jail and released Sunday afternoon after posting $35,000 bond, booking records show.

Nelms was rushed to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with critical injuries, police said.

“This was a serious injury and required Mr. Nelms to need emergency heart surgery,” Lindsey said.

Nelms remains in a medically induced coma, but is expected to survive his injuries, Lindsey said.

An online fundraising page was set up for Nelms, who does not have medical insurance.

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