lungs
01-16-2008, 07:02 PM
http://www.channel3000.com/news/15063175/detail.html
Pardeeville Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Restraining, Taping Packers Jersey To Son
Sheriff's Office: Boy Refused To Wear Jersey
UPDATED: 5:23 pm CST January 16, 2008
PARDEEVILLE, Wis. -- A Pardeeville man was arrested on Monday on suspicion of restraining his 7-year-old son with tape after the boy refused to wear a Green Bay Packers jersey this weekend.
Matthew Kowald, 36, was taken into custody on on Monday on suspicion of causing mental harm to a child, false imprisonment and domestic disorderly conduct, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities said that the boy's mother called police after the child refused to wear the jersey and Kowald restrained and tied him with tape for about one hour on Saturday. The jersey was also taped to the boy during the time, authorities said.
The Columbia County clerk said that the two felonies the father was arrested on suspicion of -- causing mental harm to a child and false imprisonment -- were dropped on Wednesday morning. Kowald was issued a ticket for domestic disorderly conduct, WISC-TV reported.
Kowald defended his actions in a phone call to WISC-TV, saying he did tie his child up but that it was in a playful manner.
"I taped his legs. He thought he couldn't get out; I let him out. The other two wanted me to do it to them to get him out," Kowald said. "It was just a joke, like, 'I'm not wearing them because you like them, dad.' I said, 'Yeah, you are.' We only had it on them, he took it off. Once the shirt was off, it was off."
Kowald said that when police arrived at his door, he was stunned.
"I had no idea anything like this was even possible. It wasn't like I kept them there and trapped them. It was just when they couldn't get out, we let them out," Kowald said.
Kowald was expected to appear in Columbia County Circuit Court on Wednesday, but didn't have to appear because the two felonies were dropped.
Columbia County District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said there wasn't enough evidence against the father to support felony charges. She said there is no physical injury to the child and that there is no evidence to warrant further evaluation of any emotional damage.
"I am in no way condoning this action by a parent, but I have to follow what the law says," Kohlwey said.
Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
Actually, I'm wondering whether this was just playful and a stupid mother getting worked up called the police over nothing.
Pardeeville Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Restraining, Taping Packers Jersey To Son
Sheriff's Office: Boy Refused To Wear Jersey
UPDATED: 5:23 pm CST January 16, 2008
PARDEEVILLE, Wis. -- A Pardeeville man was arrested on Monday on suspicion of restraining his 7-year-old son with tape after the boy refused to wear a Green Bay Packers jersey this weekend.
Matthew Kowald, 36, was taken into custody on on Monday on suspicion of causing mental harm to a child, false imprisonment and domestic disorderly conduct, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities said that the boy's mother called police after the child refused to wear the jersey and Kowald restrained and tied him with tape for about one hour on Saturday. The jersey was also taped to the boy during the time, authorities said.
The Columbia County clerk said that the two felonies the father was arrested on suspicion of -- causing mental harm to a child and false imprisonment -- were dropped on Wednesday morning. Kowald was issued a ticket for domestic disorderly conduct, WISC-TV reported.
Kowald defended his actions in a phone call to WISC-TV, saying he did tie his child up but that it was in a playful manner.
"I taped his legs. He thought he couldn't get out; I let him out. The other two wanted me to do it to them to get him out," Kowald said. "It was just a joke, like, 'I'm not wearing them because you like them, dad.' I said, 'Yeah, you are.' We only had it on them, he took it off. Once the shirt was off, it was off."
Kowald said that when police arrived at his door, he was stunned.
"I had no idea anything like this was even possible. It wasn't like I kept them there and trapped them. It was just when they couldn't get out, we let them out," Kowald said.
Kowald was expected to appear in Columbia County Circuit Court on Wednesday, but didn't have to appear because the two felonies were dropped.
Columbia County District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said there wasn't enough evidence against the father to support felony charges. She said there is no physical injury to the child and that there is no evidence to warrant further evaluation of any emotional damage.
"I am in no way condoning this action by a parent, but I have to follow what the law says," Kohlwey said.
Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
Actually, I'm wondering whether this was just playful and a stupid mother getting worked up called the police over nothing.