WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University professor is accused of assaulting his wife with a wooden chair leg in front of his 10-year-old son, whom he had locked in a dog crate, authorities said.
John Mark Froiland, 48, of West Lafayette, was arrested on Nov. 10 on suspicion of domestic battery, criminal confinement, neglect of a dependent, intimidation and interference with the reporting of a crime, according to the Lafayette Journal & Courier.
Froiland, an assistant professor with a Ph.D. in school psychology, was removed from teaching classes at the university, WTHR reported. Purdue officials confirmed Froiland, who has been employed as a clinical assistant professor at the university since August 2017, was placed on paid administrative leave, WXIN reported.
Purdue professor arrested, suspected of locking son in dog crate and assaulting his wife https://t.co/08RGu0UhSo
— Journal & Courier (@jconline) November 18, 2021
Denice Froiland, 47, told police in West Lafayette that she returned home from shopping and was confronted by her husband, the Journal & Courier reported. Denice Froiland alleged that her husband shoved her against a wall and questioned her about where she had been, according to a police report.
The argument continued in another room, and police said John Froiland locked his son in a dog crate, the Journal & Courier reported. Froiland then allegedly broke a wooden leg from a chair and struck his wife, according to the newspaper.
Denice Froiland suffered welts and bruises to her arms, police said.
John Froiland took his wife’s cellphone so she could not call 911, but Denice Froiland managed to grab her son and drive away from the home, the Journal & Courier reported.
Police arrested John Froiland, who later posted $500 bail, WXIN reported. He was given a 10-day noncontact order.
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