Police say a Vancouver man approached a couple and their newborn baby at Esther Short Park on Saturday and attempted to stomp on the child, court records show.
Benjamin R. Courtney, 39, appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of second-degree assault stemming from the confrontation.
The “flustered” couple flagged down police at about 9:50 p.m. and pointed to a shirtless man, later identified as Courtney, who they said tried to stomp on their son, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
A prosecutor said Monday that the child is 17 days old.
The couple said Courtney was screaming loudly and approached them as they were seated on a park bench at 605 Esther St. He walked directly in front of them, lifted his leg and attempted to stomp on their child who was in a car seat, the affidavit states.
The boy’s mother “ripped” the car seat out of the way and began screaming for the child’s father to call 911. Courtney was reportedly yelling, “I’m Italian and angry!” He then fled, court records said.
When officers contacted Courtney, he appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants and was yelling that he is Italian and “strong.” He later admitted to stomping on the ground near the child. When asked why he tried to stomp on the child, he said, “When we’re high-powered, we don’t stop,” according to the court document.
During his hearing, Courtney said he didn’t understand why he’s accused of second-degree assault.
“I haven’t laid a finger on anybody,” he said.
Judge Daniel Stahnke set his bail at $100,000, based in part because of Courtney’s 18 prior warrants and history of failing to appear in court. The prosecution said he has criminal history in a half-dozen states. He will be arraigned Aug. 18.
