Donora father arrested
A Donora man was arrested Thursday by borough police after a neighbor reportedly saw him grab his 4-year-old daughter by the throat.
Police were called about 7 p.m. to the home of James Stuart Deshong, 48, of 948 Meldon Ave., after the neighbor notified police that he had seen Deshong grab the girl by the throat on the front porch earlier in the day and place her in the corner.
Police talked with Deshong, who denied the allegation, claiming he would never hurt his daughter and that it was an “outright lie.” Two neighbors told police they saw Deshong grab the girl by the throat about 3 p.m., telling her that if she ever hit her sister again, “I am getting rid of you.”
The 4-year-old initially told police her father did not hit her. But after police told her they were there to help, she said her father told her to lie to police. The 4-year-old told police her father told her not to say anything about him grabbing her. When asked if her father had grabbed her, the girl said he did and it hurt.
Police said the residence was poorly kept with a large number of flies in the house and on the porch. There also were dirty dishes piled in the sink. The 4-year-old and her 2-year-old sister, were dirty and wore soiled clothing.
Washington County Children and Youth Services were notified.
Deshong is charged with two counts of child endangerment and one count each of reckless endangerment, simple assault and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson and placed in Washington County jail on a $30,000 bond.