Police: Ithaca Dad Hit 9-Year-Old Son With Closed Fist

An Ithaca man is facing multiple charges following a domestic incident in Seneca Falls that involved physical violence against a woman and a child.

Police say Thomas Knight was involved in a verbal altercation that escalated when he allegedly pushed a woman and his 9-year-old son to the ground and began striking them with closed fists. The child was able to flee the scene and ran to a neighbor’s home to call for help.

The incident was reportedly witnessed by another of Knight’s young children. Both victims sustained minor injuries and were evaluated at the scene by EMS.

Knight was charged with two counts of attempted assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor; attempted criminal obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanor; harassment in the second degree, a violation; and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors. Due to a previous conviction for a qualifying family offense, Knight was additionally charged with aggravated family offense, a felony.

While in custody at the Seneca Falls Police Department, Knight became irate and damaged property belonging to the department. He was subsequently charged with one count of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

Knight was transported to the Seneca County Correctional Facility to await arraignment on the charges. An order of protection was requested on behalf of the victims.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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