Toledo police say a 13-year-old girl was stabbed multiple times with a flathead screwdriver in an April 14 attack that left her with defensive wounds and bruising from a phone charger. The suspect, a man from Newport, Michigan, was later arrested after a warrant was issued on April 23. He was scheduled to be arraigned on May 11 in Toledo Municipal Court.
What police allege
According to WTVG, officers say 35-year-old Jordan Michael Thomas grabbed a flathead screwdriver from the victim's mother's car and stabbed the girl three times. Court documents reviewed by the station say she suffered defensive wounds on her hands and arms as she tried to block the blade. Investigators later reported they could not find the screwdriver, and Thomas was charged with tampering with evidence.
Charges and court dates
Local charging paperwork lists felonious assault, multiple counts of domestic violence, tampering with evidence, endangering children, and a simple assault count among the allegations against Thomas, according to WKRC. WKRC reports that a warrant was issued on April 23 and that police served the warrant before taking Thomas into custody.
Prior record and missing weapon
Police records and reporting by WTVG indicate Thomas has two prior domestic violence convictions in Michigan. WTVG also reports that investigators were not able to recover the screwdriver and that officers say Thomas allegedly whipped the girl with a phone charger during the same incident.
What the charges can mean
Felonious assault in Ohio, the charge tied to using a weapon to cause harm, is defined under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.11 and can be prosecuted as either a first degree or second degree felony, depending on the circumstances. Endangering children is set out in § 2919.22. Tampering with evidence is a separate offense that can add to potential penalties, and convictions on multiple counts can lead to prison time and, in some cases, consecutive sentences.
Case status
Thomas's arraignment was scheduled for May 11 in Toledo Municipal Court, according to WKRC. Local outlets report that the investigation is ongoing and that future court filings will show whether prosecutors change or add to the charges after his initial appearance.
