Deputies Arrest Son for Elder Abuse Towards Father
COVELO—A Mendocino County Sheriff Deputy responded to the Round Valley Tribal Police Department to meet with Round Valley Police Chief Carlos Rabano on a report of elder abuse.
At about 9:30 a.m. of Tuesday November 27th, Rabano was on his routine patrol on the 23000 block of Howard Street when he came across an elderly man that was bleeding from his head, along with other injuries.
The elderly man told Chief Rabano that his son, Michael David Arnold, 46, of Covelo, had physically assaulted him that morning while he was making coffee. During the field interview, the victim’s son arrived; Arnold then attempted to convince his father that he had been injured in a fall. Reluctantly, the man changed his story as told by his son.
The victim was later transported to Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits and was treated for his injuries. While being treated, police interviewed the elderly man again, to gain some more information on the real incident.
The elderly man told deputies that he was inside his residence making coffee when his son physically assaulted him several times with a metal garden hose attachment made of rounded pipe, which led to his injuries.
Mendocino County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Greg Van Patten states: “The victim stated after he was physically assaulted, he left his residence and was later contacted by Chief Rabano. The victim told Chief Rabano that his son Arnold was his caregiver and they lived together at the victim’s house.”
Deputies later visited the victim’s house where they spoke to Arnold. During the interview, deputies located the water wand which contained evidence, suspected blood, and obvious signs of damage, which supported the victim’s statement.
Michael David Arnold was taken to the Mendocino County Jail and was charged on the suspicion of possession of a dagger, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm and elder or dependent adult abuse resulting in great bodily harm or death. His bail has been set at $50,000.
