Wadena County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Wadena man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after a reported domestic dispute.
Jaeden Donald Carpenter, 21, of Wadena, has been charged with felony domestic assault.
He is also charged with fourth-degree criminal damage to property, a misdemeanor.
The complaint lists the alleged offense date as December 11, 2025.
The case was filed in Wadena County District Court on February 10, 2026.
What police say happened
Officers were dispatched to Wadena Square Apartments at about 5:54 p.m.
Police were told one vehicle struck another and fled.
A woman said Carpenter is her domestic partner, according to the complaint.
She reported he hit her vehicle with his vehicle and drove away.
Door slamming and key struggle
The woman said she left her apartment to visit a friend in the same complex.
She said she was sitting in her red Chevrolet Tahoe with a witness.
The complaint says Carpenter arrived in a silver Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Police say he parked behind the Tahoe and approached the driver’s door.
The complaint says he repeatedly opened and slammed the door while yelling.
The woman said Carpenter reached through the window and tried to shut off the Tahoe.
Police say they struggled over the keys.
The woman reported a cut on her right pinky finger.
Officers reported seeing the injury, the complaint states.
Vehicle damage and reported crash
The complaint says the ignition key was badly bent during the struggle.
Police listed an estimated key replacement cost of $104.62.
The woman said she threatened to call the police.
She reported Carpenter left, then returned a short time later.
The complaint says he struck the Tahoe with his Trailblazer and fled again.
Timeline disputed
Officers later spoke with Carpenter at his home on Mobile Home Drive.
He denied being at the apartment complex, the complaint says.
He claimed he had been home since about 5:00 p.m.
Police then spoke with Carpenter’s mother, according to the complaint.
She reviewed camera footage from the home, the complaint states.
The footage showed Carpenter arriving at about 5:58 p.m., police reported.
Why the assault count is a felony
Prosecutors say the assault charge is a felony due to prior qualifying convictions.
The complaint cites domestic violence-related convictions within the past ten years.
Court records listed prior convictions dated November 12, 2025.
They included interference with a 911 call and domestic abuse no-contact order violations.
Court filing
Carpenter was charged by summons, according to the court filing.
The summons was issued by Judge Doug Clark.
No bail amount was listed because the case was not filed by warrant.
Criminal charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Public resources
Minnesota’s domestic assault law is posted at Minnesota Statute 609.2242.
Minnesota’s criminal damage to property law is posted at Minnesota Statute 609.595.
Public case listings may be available on Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).
Wadena County District Court information is available here.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.