From staff reports
A Franklin man is facing charges for strangling his son on Monday.
Franklin police said in a criminal complaint they were called at about 2 a.m. Monday to a residence on Buffalo Street for reports that Dennis Graham, 40, was strangling his son, who is a juvenile.
Graham’s son told police that following a verbal argument with his father in the basement, Graham shoved him into a row of fishing poles and then grabbed the hood of his hoodie, impeding his breathing, the complaint said.
When the boy fell to the ground, Graham continued to hold onto his sweatshirt, tightening the fabric against his neck, the complaint said. Graham’s son showed police the torn sweatshirt and a red, swollen area on his neck, according to the complaint.
Graham has been charged with a felony count of strangulation- applying pressure to throat or neck and a misdemeanor count of simple assault.
Graham was arraigned Monday and placed in the Venango County jail after being unable to post bail.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled July 14 in Central Court.
