By DAVID OWENS Hartford Courant
MIDDLETOWN — A 37-year-old dad faces child endangerment charges after police say he became enraged and struck his 5-year-old son in the head several times after the boy knocked over some his father’s marijuana.
Edward R. Salz of Main Street and his girlfriend, Bobbi-Jo Lamont, 26, were charged after witnesses contacted police about the alleged assault Saturday evening.
As responding officers investigated, they determined that the 5-year-old and his 3-year-old sister had been left alone in the family’s third-floor apartment while Salz and Lamont went to drink at a local bar.
Police also said the apartment was “deplorable condition” with marijuana and drug paraphernalia left throughout the apartment and within reach of the children.
Lamont acknowledged to police that she was there when Salz struck the boy and said she did nothing to intervene, police said.
Salz was charged with two counts of risk of injury to a child, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lamont was charged with two counts risk of injury to a minor and breach of peace after screaming at and arguing with officers, which caused a crowd to gather.
Lamont posted $50,000 bail and is due in court June 25. Salz’s bail was reduced to $5,000 from $50,000 at his arraignment, and he is due back in court July 1.