Man in jail after punching, choking his 84-year-old father

By Terry Ahner

tahner@tnonline.com

A Slatington area man is in jail after he punched and choked his 84-year-old father when being told to leave his house.

Michael Kern, 49, of the 8000 block of Sharon Drive, Washington Township, faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, harassment and disorderly conduct.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by state trooper Ryan Fraunfelter:

At 5:47 p.m. Saturday, Fraunfelter was dispatched to the home on Sharon Drive for a report of an assault.

Before state police arrived, an officer with the Slatington Police Department deployed the Taser to subdue Kern.

Upon arrival, Fraunfelter met with the victim, who said he began arguing with Kern around 5:30 p.m.

The victim said he told Kern he wanted him out of the house, and while going for the phone, Kern shoved him to the ground and began to punch him and then put his hands around his neck and began to choke him.

The victim said that he yelled at Kern that he was having chest pains and the altercation ended.

Fraunfelter observed red marks on the face of the victim, specifically to the chin and the left cheek.

Kern was transported to Pennsylvania State Police Bethlehem for charges to be filed.

While at the station, Fraunfelter interviewed officer Jarrod Bulger from the Slatington Police Department.

Bulger said he commanded Kern to stop approaching, but when Kern yelled an obscenity and did not comply, he used his Taser.

Bulger said he rolled Kern over with the assistance of EMS personnel.

Kern was arraigned Saturday night by District Judge Jacob E. Hammond.

He was sent to Lehigh County Jail under $25,000 bail. Kern is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 10:15 a.m. Dec. 11 in Central Court at the Lehigh County Courthouse.