A 39-year-old man from Independence is charged with abusing his girlfriend's 3-year-old son by bending his fingers, holding a pillow to his face and putting a bug in his mouth.
Stephen Marlin Berkner, was scheduled to appear in court today on a charge of malicious punishment of a child.
Berkner allegedly caused bruises and swelling on the boy's hands.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court:
On Feb. 10, Berkner hit the 3-year-old boy in the face with an open hand. He also picked up a bug and put it in the child's mouth and held a pillow against the child's face.
A doctor's examination of the child found bruises on his back, near his eyes, chin and both hands. The victim lives in Brooklyn Center.
PAUL WALSH
