(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman is facing potential time in prison from her then 12 year old son being seriously injured when struck on the head with a dumbbell.

 

Sarah Dukes, 34, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony domestic battery along with Level 6 felony counts of domestic battery and criminal recklessness.

 

Her alleged actions occurred about three years ago.

 

Authorities just recently became involved after her son, who now lives with his father, reported the alleged incident, according to court documents.

 

The investigation shows the boy and his older sister were doing chores at a home they lived in with their mother, stepfather and younger siblings on Warren St. in La Porte.

 

At one point, the brother and sister began arguing over something.  Police said the commotion awakened Dukes, who came downstairs with the five pound weight in her hand.

 

She struck the boy several times with it and took him to hospital where he received four staples to close the laceration he was heavily bleeding from on the back of his head, according to court documents.

 

His now 17 year old sister also hit with the dumbbell was not injured, police said.

 

Court documents allege Dukes told the medical staff her son was hurt when pushed by his sister and fell.

 

La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said charges in low to mid-level felony crimes in Indiana must be filed within five years from time of occurrence.

 

There is no statute of limitations for murder.  Dukes arrested on September 10 was still being held Tuesday in the La Porte County Jail on $15,000 bond.