A 42-year-old grandmother from Glyndon, Minn., was sentenced Monday for holding a knife to the back of her 4-year-old grandson during a standoff with police.
Marlene Anderson, who entered an Alford plea to a felony charge of terrorizing, must enroll in an inpatient alcohol treatment program and serve five years of supervised probation. A more serious charge of child abuse was dismissed by the state.
Court records say:
On March 4, police were called to an apartment at 1402 25th Ave. S. in Fargo by a resident concerned about an unwanted drunk woman. When police arrived at the apartment door, which was chained shut, they heard a boy yell, "Ouch, you're hurting me."
Officers forced the door open and saw Anderson holding the boy with her left arm, her right hand hidden behind his back. When she refused to show her hands, the officers drew their guns, and Anderson told them to shoot her.
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Eventually Anderson said she had a knife and dropped it.
By entering the Alford plea Monday, Anderson admitted she could be convicted at trial without admitting guilt. After hearing her sentence, Anderson told East Central District Judge Norman Backes she was sorry for the incident.
"I'm embarrassed by all this," she said. "I know there are consequences to face."
Backes also sentenced Anderson to five years in prison, all but 104 days suspended, and gave her credit for the 104 days she has spent in custody since her arrest.
Anderson cannot have any contact with her grandson until she finishes her alcohol treatment.
The boy's mother, Anderson's daughter, has said she wants Anderson to have contact with the boy, defense attorney Charles Chinquist said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Forster at (701) 241-5538
