Dad stabs stepson with screwdriver, hits stepdaughter (Farmington, Minnesota)

Dad MIKE MORGAN is charged with two felony counts of second-degree assault (among other things) for stabbing his 10-year-old stepson with a screwdriver and hitting his 14-year-old sister. The stepson had apparently been fighting with Dad's 5-year-old son when Dad "intervened." Dad also tried to keep the sister from calling 911.

This news report also cites Dad's "minimal criminal history" which includes an assault and two probation violations. I don't know what social circles these folks run in, but that doesn't sound "minimal" to me. Not a word about the mother here either--just the grandmother, who was given custody of the children after the incident. Single dad? Would be interesting if the reporters found out these things.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090819/GJNEWS_01/708199888/-1/FOSNEWS

Farmington father allegedly stabbed stepson with screwdriver

By Joey Cresta
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Mark Morgan

FARMINGTON — A Meaderboro Road resident allegedly used a screwdriver when he assaulted his stepchildren Monday afternoon when he became upset that his stepson and son were fighting, police said.

Mark Morgan, 46, of 157 Meaderboro Road, is charged with two felony counts of second-degree assault and misdemeanors of simple assault and obstructing the report of a crime or injury.

He was held overnight Monday in county jail and arraigned Tuesday morning in Rochester District Court via video feed from the jail. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash.

Officers responded to Morgan's residence at 12:50 p.m. Monday after receiving a report of a disturbance. When they arrived, they discovered a 10-year-old boy and his 14-year-old sister had allegedly been assaulted by Morgan, their stepfather. The stepdaughter told police Morgan was angry that the 10-year-old was fighting with Morgan's 5-year-old son, an affidavit said.

Police said he broke up the fight by pushing his stepson to the floor. Police allege he then slammed the boy's head off the floor several times and stabbed him in the back with a screwdriver.

According to Assistant County Attorney Kyle Griffin, the alleged attack caused swelling in the boy's eye and visible marks and a small laceration to his back.

A court affidavit said he also allegedly hit his stepdaughter in the face with both hands. When she attempted to use a phone to call for help, he grabbed it from her, preventing her from calling police, a news release said.

Authorities were alerted to the situation when the children ran down the street to get help from a neighbor, who brought them into his home and then called 911, police said.

The children and their 5-year-old stepbrother are currently in the custody of their grandmother after being treated and released at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Morgan is to have no contact with the children as a condition of bail.

Griffin cited Morgan's minimal criminal history during his arraignment, which includes a 1996 simple assault and two violations of probation in 1997. He is due in court on Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. for a probable cause hearing. A trial for the misdemeanors is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.

The court entered not guilty pleas on his behalf on the misdemeanor charges. No plea was entered on the second-degree assault charges since district court has no jurisdiction over felonies. Judge Daniel Cappiello set bail at $10,000 cash. If Morgan posts bail, he will be monitored by Strafford County Community Corrections.