Man Accused Of Chaining Girlfriend's Son Waives Case To Trial
CANONSBURG (KDKA) -- A Washington County man accused of chaining up his girlfriend's son for refusing to eat dinner has waived his case straight to trial.
Joshua Smith, 38, of Canonsburg, was in court today for a preliminary hearing
Police say Smith is accused of wrapping a dog chain around the 11-year-old boy's leg and nailing the other end to the basement stairs.
He did not want to talk to reporters outside the courthouse Tuesday.
The boy told officers that Smith became angry when he refused to eat what was on his plate, and that Smith made him go out into the yard and get the chains.
The child's mother called police to the home in the 100-block of Garden Street.
When officers arrived at the scene, they say they had to use wire cutters to free the boy. He suffered some abrasions to his leg.
Smith is charged with child endangerment, simple assault, harassment and false imprisonment.
"He really hasn't been on the criminal justice radar until the last couple of months and then all kinds of things are popping up - anger management and just unreasonableness," said District Judge Jay Weller.
Police say Smith was also arrested last month for allegedly trying to strangle his girlfriend's 16-year-old daughter.
Smith was picked up May 18 for alleged retail theft at a Walmart and for allegedly threatening to kill his ex-wife.
He will also have to undergo a mental health evaluation.
RELATED LINKS:
Police: Man Chained 11-Year-Old Boy To Dinner Table After Refusing To Eat (5/22/13)
Hearing Scheduled For Man Accused Of Chaining Girlfriend's Son To Stairs (5/27/13)
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