A Bradford man was taken into custody Monday for allegations that he strangled a teen earlier this month.
Curtis J. Deitz, 29, of 30 Prosser Lane, Bradford, was arraigned Monday before District Judge Richard Luther on charges of aggravated assault, a first-degree felony; strangulation, a second-degree felony; two counts of endangering the welfare of children, a third-degree felony; two counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, second-degree misdemeanors; and two counts of summary harassment.
According to court records, at 5:48 a.m. Jan. 5, Foster Township Police were dispatched to Deitz’s residence for a report of a domestic dispute that was physical. When police arrived, Deitz had left the home and walked into the woods.
A witness told police that Deitz made accusations against a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy, then “made aggressive moves towards” the girl’s mother. The girl stepped in front of him and told Deitz not to go after her mom. Deitz grabbed the girl by the throat and threw her to the ground, the complaint stated.
While the mother was trying to get Deitz away from the girl, the girl said she was going to call the police. Deitz tried to get the phone away from the girl, and, during the ensuing struggle, he shoved the mother into a stand, breaking it, and stiff-armed the mother’s throat, court records indicated.
The complaint stated that Deitz was already on probation for a 2019 DUI, too.
Bradford City and Foster Township police departments searched the area for Deitz but were unable to find him.
Deitz is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Central Court on Thursday.