Ten-year-old calls police on father two days before Christmas
A Washington man spent Christmas in jail after his 10-year-old son called police Sunday to report that his father was beating up his mother at the man’s residence.
Washington police said the child reported the abuse about 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the home of Melvin C. Ringer Jr., 173 Jollick Manor, Washington.
Police said that when they arrived, Ringer appeared to be intoxicated. The boy’s mother told police that Ringer kicked her in the leg and punched her in the stomach twice. Police said the woman had a lump and redness on her leg.
Police said they found marijuana and a smoking bowl in Ringer’s pocket.
Police said the mother refused to provide a written statement. Police advised her to get a protection-from-abuse order.
Ringer was charged with simple assault, harassment, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arraigned Sunday evening by District Judge Larry Hopkins and jailed on $25,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 2 before District Judge Robert Redlinger.