Dad charged with child abuse after missing 9-year-old son found; dad threatened to kill boy, other family members (Clarksville, Tennessee)

When abusive fathers issue death threats against mothers and children, the threats should be taken very seriously.

Dad is identified as PAUL N. RUTHERFORD.

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20140403/NEWS01/304030016/

Montgomery County father charged with abuse after missing child found

Apr. 3, 2014 8:23 PM

Written by Tavia D. Green
The Leaf-Chronicle

CLARKSVILLE, TENN. — A Clarksville man was arrested after his 9-year-old son went missing early Saturday morning and allegations of abuse surfaced when he was found.

Paul N. Rutherford, 36, was originally arrested on several traffic charges Saturday morning, as well as vandalism when he attempted to kick out the window of his arresting deputy’s patrol car, according to a news release from Jamie Dexter, public information officer at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

He told his arresting deputy that when he got out of jail, “he would go kill everyone in his family and then kill himself,” according to an arrest warrant.

When authorities found the child that morning, he told MCSO Investigator Julie Webb that he ran away because Rutherford told him that he was going to kill him and then kill himself, the release said.

The child told investigators that Rutherford later hit the victim in the head and in the chin. Webb noted that the child had a slightly swollen lip.

“The victim stated that he knew if he didn’t run off it would ‘be bad,’” Webb wrote in an arrest warrant.

Rutherford, who gave a 1670 Walter Road address, was later charged with a child abuse and neglect or endangerment, and his bond was set at $107,000.

A Condition of Release has also been signed prohibiting Rutherford to have any contact with the child once he is released from jail.