CLEARFIELD – A Houtzdale man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges for allegedly strangling a woman.
Daniel Katz, 41, is charged by Trooper Jonathan W. Uren of the Clearfield-based state police with felony strangulation; misdemeanor marijuana-small amount personal use, use/possession of drug paraphernalia and simple assault; and two summaries.
Katz waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. His bail is set at $100,000.
According to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge James Glass, on Feb. 14, Uren responded to the Moshannon Valley Elementary School after a student came forward saying his mother had been assaulted at a Gulich Township residence.
When troopers spoke with the victim, cuts were observed on her nose and chin; there was also bruising on her neck and across her chest. She said she’s unable to walk and uses a wheelchair to get around.
She told troopers earlier that morning, she’d gotten into a verbal argument with her boyfriend, Katz. As she tried to get out of bed, she said Katz pushed her back down, and when she tried to get up a second time, he “drop-kicked” her in the chest.
When she tried to use the bathroom, she said Katz shoved her onto the toilet, breaking it. Afterwards, she said he carried her to the living room area where he threw a bottle of “vape juice” striking her in the chin and bit her nose.
The victim said Katz proceeded to punch her in the ribs, “knocking the wind” out of her and causing her to fall to the floor. After her dog bit Katz’s hand, she said he punched it in the face, picked her up and placed her back in bed.
Katz allegedly strangled her with his hands and then with a piece of clothing, which she said left the marks around her neck. Sandy Township police located Katz, who told Uren by phone that he planned to kill himself.
A search of Katz’s vehicle turned up a small amount of marijuana, a glass smoking pipe and a BIC lighter, according to the affidavit.