MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A 26-year-old Minneapolis man has been charged with allegedly ripping his 3-year-old daughter’s ear by pulling on it, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Corey Leigh Buckholtz was charged with one gross misdemeanor of malicious punishment of child in connection to the incident, which occurred on Feb. 14, 2012.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim arrived at day care with a one-inch tear behind her left ear. Both the victim and her 4-year-old sister reported that their “daddy,” identified as Buckholtz, pulled on her ear, causing the laceration.
The victim’s mother, however, reported that the ear injury was a result of eczema and dry skin, the complaint said.
Investigators later responded to the victim’s home and found her mother and Buckholtz, and they were uncooperative.
When child protection talked to the victim, she said “my daddy cracked it” and that she went in the corner because she turned on the TV. She also said that Buckholtz sends her down to the basement and she gets scared when she’s down there, the complaint said.
Buckholtz waived his Miranda rights and agreed to talk with officers. He said that the injury to the victim’s ears was caused by eczema, and said he pulled the victim’s ear previously, but not hard. He couldn’t explain the bruising on her right ear. He added he tells the kids there are ghosts in the basement to get them to behave, according to the complaint.
If convicted, Buckholtz could face up to one year in prison and/or a $3,000 fine.
