A Warren, Minn., man made his first appearance in Polk County District Court this week for allegedly attempting to smother his mother with a pillow.
David Bieniski, 71, faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $5,000 if convicted for domestic assault by strangulation.
According to court documents, Crookston Police officers were dispatched to Villa St. Martin on Sunday, March 8, for a report of abuse of a resident in the facility. Nursing staff told responding officers that Bieniski was allegedly seen with his mother, who is a resident of the facility, holding her arms with one hand and holding a body pillow over her face with the other hand. Allegedly, Bieniski could be heard saying "be quiet. You can't be doing this. Don't do this," according to court documents.
The victim is 96 and suffers from dementia, according to the complaint.
In an interview with investigators, Bieniski denied the charges against him, according to court documents.
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At his first court appearance March 10, Bieniski's unconditional cash bail was set at $10,000 and he was released on personal recognizance. Among the conditions of his release, he was ordered not to contact the victim and not to possess firearms.
He is next scheduled to appear in court for an initial appearance on March 26.
