Man arrested on assault charge in Cato

CATO, NY — A 56-year-old man was arrested and charged with assault and other offenses following a domestic violence incident on Nov. 6.

Daniel J. Root, of Cato, was charged with assault in the 2nd degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree and two counts of criminal mischief in the 4th degree, according to Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck.

Deputies responded to an address in the town of Cato at approximately 3:03 p.m. for a reported domestic violence incident with injuries.

Upon arrival, deputies located a female victim who had sustained physical injuries to her face and head after being attacked, according to the sheriff’s office.

The victim alleged that Root had attacked her, striking her in the face with a handheld butane torch tank.

Root also took a cell phone from the victim and destroyed it while the victim was attempting to call 911 for help, according to the sheriff’s office.

During the altercation, the victim was able to escape and ran to a neighbor’s house to call for help.

The victim was transported to a hospital by EMS and treated for her injuries.

Deputies located Root at his residence at 5:16 p.m. and took him into custody.

Root was held on $10,000 cash bail or $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in the town of Cato Court on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.