A Wisconsin mother is accused of stabbing her 7-year-old son while he played video games in her bedroom, then pulling him back into their home when he tried to escape, according to court records.
Emily Spalding, 37, has been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and child abuse related to intentionally causing great bodily harm. She is detained at the Dunn County Jail in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
Background
On July 20 at about 8 p.m., police were asked by a neighbor to conduct a welfare check on Spalding's home on Kausrud Street in Menomonie, a city roughly 70 miles east of Minneapolis. One witness told an officer that Spalding had made comments about 'children not needing to clean their rooms in heaven' and was yelling, swearing, and putting a curse on people, according to the criminal complaint obtained by WEAU.
The witness added that the previous night, Spalding was outside her home in the rain talking to people who were not there. When officers first spoke with Spalding, she appeared calm, denied making those comments, and said the neighbor had a problem. The child did not make a statement or ask for help, and officers left.
About two hours later, police responded again after reports of a child running in the street yelling 'no.' The boy was covered in blood and told officers his mother was chasing him with a knife and hit him in the head.
The Charges
Officers found the boy at a Jimmy John's restaurant with blood on his face, shirt, and legs, along with a small laceration on top of his head. He said he had been playing video games in Spalding's bedroom when she walked in 'with her mouth open' and tried to stab him with a knife. He got away but she caught up, allegedly pulling him back into the house and hitting him in the head with a hammer before he escaped again.
When confronted at her front door, Spalding said someone else had taken over her body, according to the criminal complaint. She was detained and also treated at an area hospital. The boy told officers that 'if he had not run away from his mom that he would be dead.' Spalding's sister has since taken custody of the child.
Key Takeaways
- Emily Spalding, 37, faces charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and child abuse causing great bodily harm.
- The alleged attack occurred July 20 in Menomonie, Wisconsin, while the boy played video games in her bedroom.
- Police say the boy was stabbed with a knife and struck with a hammer after trying to flee; he escaped to a nearby restaurant.
- Spalding told officers someone else 'took over her body'; she remains held at Dunn County Jail.
What's Next
A court appearance date has not yet been set. The child is in the custody of Spalding's sister, and investigators continue to review evidence.