Police: Dad sprayed 12-inch fire ball at wife, child; also threatened to "take their children" (Orem, Utah)

Dad MICHAEL LEE ANDERSON apparently didn't care for it much when his wife confronted him on his prescription drug abuse. So he threatened "break her legs and take their children." A very succinct way of showing how abusers think: physical violence and a child custody "dispute" are but two different tactics designed to accomplish the same end: the coercive control and punishment of the mother. Then the next day, Daddy pulls this fire ball move. What a mensch. Hope Mom gets out of this marriage with full custody--and no visitation with "fire ball" daddy.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700071046/Orem-father-arrested-after-police-say-he-sprayed-a-fire-ball-at-his-wife-and-child.html

Orem father arrested after police say he sprayed a fire ball at his wife and child
Published: Monday, Oct. 4, 2010 6:24 p.m.

PROVO — An Orem father was arrested on Saturday after police say he sprayed a 12-inch fire ball at his wife and child.

Michael Lee Anderson, 32, was having an argument with his wife over the amount of prescription pills he had been taking on a regular basis, according to an affidavit filed in Provo's 4th District Court. She told police she had found a Xanax bottle of his that was missing 15 more pills than it was supposed to have, the affidavit states. When she confronted him about this, she told an officer than her husband threatened to break her legs and take their children, police say.

The next day, she said she and her husband were with their three children, one of which was in her arms, according to the affidavit. Her husband got out a bottle of cologne and a match and then lit the match and sprayed the cologne at her and subsequently the child, the affidavit states.
Police say the wife had to step back to avoid the flames.

Her husband then allegedly tried to leave the house, but his car battery was dead. When police made contact with Anderson, they said his speech was extremely slurred.

He was taken to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and then was booked into Utah County Jail for investigation of two counts of aggravated assault.