Man charged with assault with a wrench
OLIVIA, Minn. — A 31-year-old Hector man faces two assault charges, for first- and second-degree charges, for allegedly throwing a wrench at a then 7-year-old boy in June, striking the boy in the head and causing severe, potentially life-threatening injuries.
Dean Michael Lentz appeared Monday in Renville County District Court on the charges. His next appearance is Oct. 26 with a jury trial scheduled for Dec. 11-13.
According to the complaint, the boy was treated at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis for a skull fracture, cerebral spinal fluid leak and multiple facial fractures. The injuries required immediate neurosurgical intervention, according to the doctor’s notes referenced in the complaint.
The investigation by the Renville County Sheriff’s Office began June 10, one day after the alleged assault.
During the investigation, Lentz allegedly admitted to intentionally throwing a ratchet at the boy, but that he did not intend to hit the child.