Steven Lee Fineday, 39, is charged in Becker County District Court.<\/p>\n
The case includes allegations dating from 2023 through September 2025.<\/p>\n
Children Interviewed After September Incident<\/h2>\n
According to the criminal complaint, authorities became involved after an incident in September 2025.<\/p>\n
Two children, identified in court documents as S.F. and B.F., were later interviewed separately.<\/p>\n
The complaint says the children were removed from Fineday’s home following the September incident.<\/p>\n
During the interviews, both children described multiple alleged incidents of physical and emotional abuse.<\/p>\n
Complaint Describes September 2025 Incident<\/h2>\n
The complaint says authorities responded to County Highway 21 in Ogema for a reported runaway.<\/p>\n
S.F. allegedly told investigators that Fineday slapped her several times.<\/p>\n
She also alleged he continued hitting and yelling at her during a vehicle ride.<\/p>\n
The complaint says Fineday drove her near Rat Tail Lake and told her to leave the vehicle.<\/p>\n
Fineday later admitted using the trip as a scare tactic, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n
He also allegedly admitted slapping the child.<\/p>\n
Other Abuse Allegations Detailed<\/h2>\n
The children described additional alleged incidents during forensic interviews.<\/p>\n
They claimed they were sometimes required to sleep inside an old vehicle outside the home.<\/p>\n
They also alleged they received limited food during some periods.<\/p>\n
The complaint says the children described being forced to run outside as punishment.<\/p>\n
Another allegation involved B.F. being struck with a wooden 2×4.<\/p>\n
B.F. told investigators the blow knocked him unconscious and left a large bump on his head.<\/p>\n
A medical specialist later evaluated both children after the interviews.<\/p>\n
Five Charges Filed<\/h2>\n
Fineday faces felony second-degree assault<\/a> with a dangerous weapon.<\/p>\n That charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison or a $14,000 fine.<\/p>\n He also faces three felony counts of child endangerment<\/a>.<\/p>\n Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years or a $10,000 fine.<\/p>\n A fifth count alleges malicious punishment of a child<\/a>.<\/p>\n That gross misdemeanor carries a maximum of 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine.<\/p>\n The charges are allegations. Fineday is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n I\u2019m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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