A Farmington man is facing multiple felony charges following an alleged incident involving his children.
According to court records, 48-year-old Gerald Becker of Farmington was arrested in connection with an incident that occurred on Saturday, January 10th at approximately 6:27 p.m. Becker has been charged with two counts of child endangerment causing bodily injury, both Class D felonies.
Court documents state that a Van Buren County sheriff’s deputy responded after the mother of Becker’s children reported to the sheriff’s office that Becker had cut both of their children’s hands with a knife. She stated her children ran from their father’s residence to their aunt’s residence located blocks away.
The deputy met and spoke with the mother and both children at the aunt’s residence.
According to court documents, the oldest child reported that they and their younger sibling were upstairs in a bedroom when their father came upstairs and was upset. The child stated they and their sibling were scared and attempted to leave through the door. The child stated their father stopped them from leaving and swung a knife at both of them.
The oldest child stated they sustained injuries to their left hand from their father swinging a knife at them. The deputy observed two cuts on the top of the child’s left hand.
The child stated their father then dropped the knife on a bed in the bedroom and left the room. The deputy located a knife on the bed matching the description provided.
Court records state that the deputy also spoke with Becker’s younger child, who informed the deputy their father attempted to cut them with a knife. The deputy observed two small red marks on the top of the child’s left hand as well.
Becker was released on his own recognizance following his arrest. No contact orders have been issued with the victims. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 29th.
