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Crucible man charged with threatening niece with knife

2 min read
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A Crucible man was hospitalized after allegedly threatening to cut off his niece’s toes with a kitchen knife last week.

Cumberland Township police charged James Scott McDonald, 52, of 304 Fifth Ave., with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment following the incident that happened about 11:15 a.m. Thursday.

Police said the victim, Missy Ruse, was laying down in the living room of their house watching television when McDonald walked from his bedroom to the kitchen, where he got a knife. He then entered the living room and said to Ruse, “I heard you say your toes are hurting. I’m going to cut them off for you,” the criminal complaint said.

McDonald then grabbed Ruse’s legs with his hand and swung the knife toward her toes, before Ruse was able to push him away, the complaint said. Police said McDonald started laughing and told her he was “just kidding,” but Ruse did not believe him and feared for her safety.

When police arrived, Ruse was outside and McDonald was still in the house. McDonald told police “he was only just kidding but did understand her concern,” the complaint said. Investigators declined to release Ruse’s age.

Police said McDonald agreed to undergo a mental health evaluation at WHS-Greene hospital and was taken there by ambulance. He was charged Monday but has not yet been arraigned.

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