East Bethlehem man charged in assault
State police arrested a man Sunday afternoon after he allegedly assaulted his mother in East Bethlehem Township.
James Edwa Skolnekovich, 42, of East Bethlehem Township, faces a felony charge of aggravated assault and misdemeanors of terroristic threats and simple assault.
According to the criminal complaint, at about 4:45 p.m. Sunday police were called to 3 Williams St. to assist Brownsville EMS with a Life Alert alarm.
Charging documents state that during an argument with Skolnekovich, Mary Armstead went into her bedroom and locked the door. Skolnekovich is accused of breaking down the door and punching Armstead in the face multiple times, activating her Life Alert alarm.
Skolnekovich also is accused of threatening to kill the woman if she told police about the assault.
Armstead was transported to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital. She suffered swelling and bruising to both eyes and a broken wrist.
Skolnekovich was arraigned Sunday night before District Judge James Saieva, who sent him to the Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 31.