BAKER, Minn. — A man from rural Clay County is clinging to life after allegedly being attacked in his home by his roommate Sunday, May 10.
Charges were upgraded against 40-year-old Steven Krogsgaard, who now faces a first-degree assault charge, but that could change. The victim lost consciousness and was hooked up to a ventilator to keep him alive.
According to the court documents, Krogsgaard lived in the basement of a home in Baker, a town about 15 miles southeast of Moorhead, with his wife and three kids.
Neighbors said the home is owned by Nate Edwards, and the Krogsgaards recently moved in. However, Edwards was in the process of kicking them out.
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Even though the alleged attack happened on Sunday, police were not notified until Edwards' sister called them Tuesday.
She told police Krogsgaard admitted to her that he hit Edwards in the face during a fight in the kitchen Sunday evening, and a neighbor told them a similar story.
Krogsgaard told them the two had a "little fight," he picked Edwards up off the floor after hitting him and put him to bed.
Even though Krogsgaard reportedly yelled to his wife "not to say anything to police" as they arrested him at the home Tuesday, she helped investigators fill in some of the blanks.
She told them she heard a "thump," noticed Krogsgaard picking Edwards up off the floor with a head injury Sunday night and offered to call an ambulance.
The next morning, Edwards sent them a text just before six o'clock saying "help me," she said.
Investigators said Krogsgaard dropped Edwards off at Sanford Health in Fargo with just his keys and wallet before leaving.
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According to the court papers, Edwards was originally alert. He told doctors and sent a text to his sister that he had been in a fight but couldn't remember the details.
He also said he may have fallen down the stairs at some point.
On Monday, May 11, Edwards' sister was told by doctors her brother "might not make it through the day."
They say they discovered neck and chest injuries, including a broken rib and internal bleeding.
Krogsgaard was ordered to be held on $100,000 bail when he appeared in court Thursday, May 14. If convicted, he could spend up to 20 years in prison.
