Mahnomen Man Charged After Teen Hospitalized

Mahnomen (trfnews.i234.me) — Elias Edward Thompson faces a felony child neglect charge in Mahnomen County District Court.

Prosecutors allege Thompson failed to provide proper supervision for his 16-year-old son on July 4, 2026.

The complaint says the lack of supervision resulted in substantial harm to the teenager.

The charge carries up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Teen Found in Medical Distress

Law enforcement responded to a suspicious activity call in Mahnomen around 2:57 a.m.

Authorities found two teenagers at the scene, according to the criminal complaint.

One teen was 16 and appeared heavily intoxicated, the complaint states.

Investigators reported that he struggled to keep his balance and later became very drowsy.

A preliminary breath test reportedly showed a reading of .30.

Authorities first planned to transport the teen to the sheriff’s office.

Instead, they took him to Mahnomen Health Center for medical care.

The complaint says his condition worsened during the encounter.

A second teenager was also found in serious medical distress nearby.

Both teenagers were later treated for alcohol and controlled substance exposure.

Court records say the 16-year-old’s hospital blood alcohol concentration was .387.

Thompson arrived at the hospital after his son was taken there.

The complaint says Thompson told investigators he did not know about his son’s court restrictions.

He also allegedly said he did not know his son had left home.

Thompson reportedly said his son had been away during the previous two nights.

He also told investigators that he could not control his son’s behavior.

Court records say the teenager was under juvenile court conditions at the time.

Those conditions required him to remain under close adult supervision.

Prosecutors allege Thompson failed to provide supervision appropriate for the teenager’s age and circumstances.

The complaint says law enforcement contacted the teenager twice during the previous 24 hours.

Both contacts reportedly involved the teenager being intoxicated and outside parental care.

Court records also describe several law enforcement contacts involving the teenager since December 2025.

Those allegations are cited as part of the probable cause statement.

Thompson is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.378.

The law covers child neglect involving necessary food, shelter, health care, or supervision.

A felony penalty may apply when neglect results in substantial harm to a child.

The case is filed under court number 44-CR-26-465.

Public court records are available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The criminal complaint contains allegations and does not establish Thompson’s guilt.

Thompson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.