Thursday, March 28, 2024

Father gets anger management for punishing child

A father who apparently lost it and allegedly choked his son during an argument earlier this year has been ordered to undergo anger management.

In addition to anger classes, Frank Ernest Bernau, 34, of Kasson will be required to get involved in 90 hours of community work service and he has been placed on probation over the next two years.

During sentencing last week in Dodge County District Court, the judge dropped a felony county of domestic assault against Bernau. He pleaded guilty in April to one count of malicious punishment of a child, which is a gross misdemeanor.

Kasson police arrested Bernau on March 17 after he had been accused of assaulting his middle school-aged son during an altercation over a book bag. The boy reportedly couldn’t find his book bag at home. Bernau hid the bag in the garage where his son wouldn’t think to look for it and a physical fight ensued. 

Court documents said Bernau threw his son up against the wall in the garage and he hit his head on a picture frame on the wall. Bernau then moved his arm up on the child’s chest to his neck and held it there so that he couldn’t breath. 

The where his son

See full story in this week’s print edition or subscribe online. Please subscribe here or current subscribers can login here.

Dodge County Independent

Dodge County Independent
Dodge County ADvantage
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

Dodge County Printing
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

507-634-7503
 
Hours: 
Monday-Thursday 10a.m.-3p.m.