Cass County Man Charged In Child Abuse Case

Cass County (trfnews.i234.me) – A Fargo man is facing a felony child abuse charge after a young child suffered a serious head wound.

According to court documents, the case began on November 30. Police were called to an apartment in Fargo, North Dakota. An adult woman there reported a bloody cut on the forehead of a child younger than six.

The woman told officers she was caring for the child. She said she saw the wound and became very concerned. She then called the police to check on the situation. The woman later told investigators she did not accept the first story she heard about how the injury happened.

Court records say John Arthur Names of Fargo is now charged in the case. Names allegedly told the woman the child fell while running. He said the child hit the floor and that the fall caused the wound. The woman told police she did not believe that explanation.

Investigators say they spoke with Names about the injury. According to the criminal complaint, Names then gave a different story. Officers say Names told them he became frustrated. He allegedly said, “I did not mean to. I got frustrated and threw a pebble.”

The complaint says that the statement did not match the size of the injury. Court documents claim Names actually threw a brick, not a small rock. The child then suffered a deep cut on the forehead. The records do not list any life-threatening injuries. They also do not list any other children hurt in the incident.

Prosecutors in Cass County have now filed a felony child abuse charge against Names. If convicted, he could face prison time and other penalties under North Dakota law. You can read more about North Dakota’s child abuse laws for background on the type of charge listed in this case.

The case will move through Cass County District Court in the coming weeks. Court dates and future filings can be found on the North Dakota Courts public search site. Anyone with questions about local child protection services can also visit the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services for more information and resources.

This is a developing court case. Names is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty in court.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.

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