Fargo Man Charged in Alleged Child Strangulation

Fargo (trfnews.i234.me) — Devan Grover, 31, faces a felony child abuse charge involving a 5-year-old.

The case was filed in Cass County District Court.

Grover is charged with child abuse involving a victim under age six.

The charge is a Class B felony under North Dakota law.

Court records show Grover was arraigned Thursday and remained in custody.

Report Led to Child Abuse Investigation

Police were contacted September 14 after Cass County Human Service Zone received a report.

The report raised concerns about marks on the child and conditions inside the home.

Investigators said several people had seen visible marks on the child.

The child also said he had been choked, strangled and slapped, according to the complaint.

An officer reported swelling and discoloration below the child’s eye.

The officer also observed a mark on the child’s temple.

The child was examined the next day at a children’s medical clinic.

A medical provider described the injuries as patterned and consistent with abuse and strangulation.

The child told the provider that his father caused the injuries, according to court records.

The child’s mother also spoke with investigators.

She said the father used spanking as discipline, according to the charging document.

She also alleged Grover had a drinking problem and could become violent while intoxicated.

Grover denied causing any injury when police interviewed him, according to the complaint.

He told investigators he did not know what had happened to the child.

Police wrote that Grover appeared to have been drinking during the interview.

They also reported smelling alcohol on him.

The charge remains pending in Cass County District Court.

No conviction has been entered in the case.

More court information is available through the North Dakota Courts website.

Anyone who suspects child abuse can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.

The hotline can be reached at 1-800-422-4453.

More information is available through the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.