Freeland Man Wanted For Felony Strangulation Charges On 10 Year Old Child

On October 15th, a Child Advocacy Center interview was conducted with a 10 year old juvenile who reported being strangled by his father within the past month.


Eugene Knelly, 40 of 838 Pine Street Freeland, is wanted for Felony 2 Strangulation, Misdemeanor 1 Simple Assault, and Misdemeanor reckless endangerment.


It all started when Knelly came home form work and asked his son had taken his medication. The juvenile responded yes, but was thinking about the prior day. When Knelly checked the juvenile's medication and saw that the pills were still there he entered the room where the child was playing and shoved him against the wall, a police report states.


The juvenile said he remembered seeing a white light while his father strangled him with his feet off of the ground. Knelly then began to spank the juvenile repeatedly and also struck the child with a belt.


The juvenile also reported in the Child Advocacy Center interview that since he was out of diapers he had been struck by Knelly with a belt, thrown into walls, and spanked multiple times.


Knelly remains at large with family asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them.