FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A Polk man is in jail for allegedly taking his 17-month-old son from the child’s mother following a reported domestic altercation.

Court records show that on Tuesday, May 23, the Franklin Police Department filed criminal charges against 53-year-old Steven Ray Malone, of Polk, in Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland’s office.

According to a criminal complaint, a Franklin Police Officer was dispatched to an apartment on the 900 block of Liberty Street around 3:05 p.m. on May 23 for a report of a domestic assault that had taken place earlier that day.

The officer was advised that the suspect, identified as Steven Ray Malone, had departed from the scene shortly after the events were reported and that he had taken a 17-month-old child with him, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, the victim reported that Malone was under the influence of controlled substances and had no car seat for the child.

Malone reportedly left the area in a white work truck approximately two hours earlier, the complaint continues.

The known female victim stated that Malone entered her house unannounced and began yelling at her. She said that this behavior is not uncommon, stating that he would kick the door in without consequence to gain access, the complaint notes.

The victim stated that Malone left during a verbal argument but returned a short while later. Upon his return, he again started a verbal argument. During the argument, he physically assaulted the victim, the complaint states.

The victim told the officer that Malone pulled her hair from behind as she walked away. He then threw her to the floor, causing pain and injury. During the assault, Malone threatened to kill the victim, adding that he’d throw her out of the window, the complaint notes.

Following the assault and while still yelling at the victim, Malone began to pack items to remove his son from the house and the victim’s care. The victim told Malone that she was calling the police to report the assault and to prevent him from taking the child, according to the complaint.

The victim attempted to use her cell phone, and Malone reportedly slapped the phone out of her hand, picked it up, and refused to return it, the complaint states.

Malone left the scene with the victim’s phone, preventing her from calling 9-1-1 in a timely manner and delaying law enforcement’s involvement, according to the complaint.

The victim told the officer that the phone contained other evidence of criminal acts committed by Malone, the complaint states.

Police did not comment on when the toddler was returned to his mother.

According to court documents, Malone was arraigned at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, on the following charges in front of Judge Andrew F. Fish:

• Robbery — Take Property from Other with Force, Felony 3
• Terroristic Threats with Intent to Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
• Theft by Unlawful Taking — Moveable Property, Misdemeanor 1
• Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)

A preliminary hearing is set for May 31, at 10:30 a.m. with Judge Kirtland presiding.

Unable to post $15,000.00 monetary bail, Malone was lodged in the Venango County Prison.