A 35-year-old Ortonville man who tried to set his home on fire with his wife and young children inside and then proceeded to stab his wife in the chest with a knife is facing four felony charges.
Roscoe Wayne Harden was arraigned Dec. 28 in front of 52-2 District Court Magistrate Thomas Raguso on one count of arson- preparation to burn property over $20,000, a 10-year felony; attempted arson of dwelling house, a 5-year felony; assault with a dangerous weapon- felonious assault, a 4-year felony; and resisting and obstructing police, a 2-year felony.
According to police reports, Brandon deputies, along with deputies from Independence and Springfield townships, responded to the 400 block of Edward Street in the Village of Ortonville after a 9-1-1 call was placed by Harden’s daughter from another location. The daughter called 9-1-1 after her stepmother called her and reported she had been stabbed by the girl’s father, who was trying to burn down the house.
Upon arrival, deputies heard screaming and yelling from the interior of the home. Harden’s wife and his 4- and 5-year-old daughters were escorted to safety. Deputies then found Harden in the living room. He refused commands to get on the floor and was Tasered twice before deputies gained control of the situation.
The knife Harden had used to stab his wife under her left breast was recovered in the living room.
Harden’s wife reported her husband had awakened in ‘an aggressive mood? and instigated an argument. He then took paper from the garbage, ignited it and set the master bedroom carpet on fire. The victim extinguished the fire with her hands and locked their children in the bedroom for protection. She was then face-to-face with Harden, who struck her multiple times.
While she was trying to fight off his assault, he produced the knife and stabbed her. She was treated at the scene for the superficial wound and refused transport to the hospital.
Harden remains in custody at the Oakland County Jail on a $50,000 bond, no 10 percent.