Ogema Man Faces Felony Child Abuse Charges
Ogema (trfnews.i234.me) — An Ogema man faces four felony charges and one gross misdemeanor following allegations involving two children.
Steven Lee Fineday, 39, is charged in Becker County District Court.
The case includes allegations dating from 2023 through September 2025.
Children Interviewed After September Incident
According to the criminal complaint, authorities became involved after an incident in September 2025.
Two children, identified in court documents as S.F. and B.F., were later interviewed separately.
The complaint says the children were removed from Fineday’s home following the September incident.
During the interviews, both children described multiple alleged incidents of physical and emotional abuse.
Complaint Describes September 2025 Incident
The complaint says authorities responded to County Highway 21 in Ogema for a reported runaway.
S.F. allegedly told investigators that Fineday slapped her several times.
She also alleged he continued hitting and yelling at her during a vehicle ride.
The complaint says Fineday drove her near Rat Tail Lake and told her to leave the vehicle.
Fineday later admitted using the trip as a scare tactic, according to the complaint.
He also allegedly admitted slapping the child.
Other Abuse Allegations Detailed
The children described additional alleged incidents during forensic interviews.
They claimed they were sometimes required to sleep inside an old vehicle outside the home.
They also alleged they received limited food during some periods.
The complaint says the children described being forced to run outside as punishment.
Another allegation involved B.F. being struck with a wooden 2×4.
B.F. told investigators the blow knocked him unconscious and left a large bump on his head.
A medical specialist later evaluated both children after the interviews.
Five Charges Filed
Fineday faces felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
That charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison or a $14,000 fine.
He also faces three felony counts of child endangerment.
Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years or a $10,000 fine.
A fifth count alleges malicious punishment of a child.
That gross misdemeanor carries a maximum of 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine.
The charges are allegations. Fineday is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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