Dad knocks out mom, leaves 8-month-old unattended (Evans Mills, New York)

Dad knocks out mom, leaves 8-month-old unattended (Evans Mills, New York)

Man allegedly knocked daughter's mother out

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009

EVANS MILLS — A man who allegedly left his 8-month-old daughter unattended after knock-ing out the child's mother was arrested and jailed Tuesday night.

Dion D. Thomas, 26, of 33200 County Route 18, Theresa, is charged with second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He remained a prisoner Wednesday in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, Watertown, with bail set at $1,000 by Pamelia Town Justice Robert H. Austin. He awaits grand jury action.

The incident occurred the afternoon of May 26 at the home of Ann M. Gates, 23, Schell Avenue.
Ms. Gates found Mr. Thomas playing with their daughter, and she began a conversation in which she suggested he needs to do more to take care of their child, according to documents filed with the court. He became angry, grabbed a metal bar and struck her on the back of the head, rendering her unconscious and creating a one-inch cut, police allege.

He then exited the house, leaving the child in a car seat in a bedroom, according to the court documents. When Ms. Gates regained consciousness, the child was still in the car seat.

Mr. Thomas has prior convictions in assault cases. He pleaded guilty to attempted third-degree assault in Watertown City Court in March 2006 and was sentenced to one-year probation. A year later, he was convicted of third-degree assault in Jefferson County Court, was again sentenced to probation and then served a jail term for violating probation.

Watertown police assisted with the arrest Tuesday.