MOORHEAD, Minn. – A Moorhead grandmother is accused of child neglect after allegedly getting involved in a drunken brawl with a man she lives with and with police while holding her 2-year-old grandchild.
According to court documents filed Monday in Clay County District Court, Lisa Marie Larsen, 43, and Harry William Lund Jr., 46, were having a bonfire May 3 at their home when Moorhead police were called there on a report of a domestic disturbance.
The neighbor who called 911 told police that Lund and Larsen’s bonfire appeared to be out of control and was filling the neighbor’s home with smoke.
Larsen had asked if the fire was bothering the neighbor, to which he replied that the fire was a violation of city ordinance.
Larsen made some threatening statements, the neighbor told police, then stumbled back into her home.
ADVERTISEMENT
That was when the neighbor saw Lund push Larsen down the steps of the home, telling her, “Leave or die. I’ll kill you. This is my house,” while getting on top of her and putting his hands around her throat.
Officers arrived at the couple’s home and found Lund and Larsen quite drunk, court documents say.
When officers tried to speak with Lund, he reportedly became verbally abusive, advancing on one of the officers, who pushed Lund back into his seat.
Lund began to fight with the officer, at one point spitting on him.
Larsen, who was holding her 2-year-old grandchild at the time, got between the two men and had to be moved out of the way by another police officer.
Officers attempted to get the crying child away from Larsen, who refused, according to court documents.
When the child’s parents arrived, they told police they did not know Larsen would be drinking but admitted they knew both Larsen and Lund were heavy drinkers, according to court documents.
Lund was charged with one count of felony domestic assault and one count of felony fourth-degree assault with bodily fluids, and one count of gross misdemeanor obstructing the legal process.
ADVERTISEMENT
Larsen and Lund were both charged with one count of gross misdemeanor neglect or endangerment of a child.
Larsen was also charged with one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Their next court appearances are set for May 14 and 19.
