RED LAKE COUNTY, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — Joseph Cole Wulfson is accused of beating a 12-year-old child in July.
The alleged attack was caught on video and showed Wulfson headbutting the child, then hitting and shoving them for approximately two-and-a-half minutes, according to a probable cause statement filed in the case.
Wulfson allegedly hit the child approximately 25 times and called them names while doing so. He also told the child to “get mad.”
The alleged attack was prompted by the 12-year-old leaving knives too close to the edge of the counter while doing dishes, according to a sibling who reported it to law enforcement.
When interviewed by law enforcement, Wulfson allegedly said the child lied and he was disciplining them. He agreed that his discipline was excessive.
Wulfson is charged with felony child torture, gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child, and misdemeanor domestic assault.
The maximum sentence for the felony charge is 25 years in prison, but Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines recommend between two and nine years depending on Wulfson’s criminal history.
A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for December 18 at 1 p.m.
Chris Harper reporting for trfnews.i234.me