The description was short and direct: “Father struck son over bad school grades causing bruises, abrasions and pain.”

It is an assault case that wasn’t “news” at the time it occurred, and I thought it might not come up in the current trial of Michael J. Miske Jr., the former owner of Kamaaina Termite and Pest Control, M Nightclub and its successor, Encore, as well as several other local businesses.

However, a quick look shows at least two people who were present at the time of the incident are on the government’s list of potential witnesses.

The summary description quote above came from an employee of Child Protective Services following the incident in the parking lot of St. Louis school on November 7, 2005.

The victim was 11-year old Caleb Miske, then a student at the school. He was 4’9”, and weighed under 100 pounds.

His assailant was his father, Michael Miske, the owner of Kamaaina Termite and Pest Control. Miske, 31 at the time, stood 6’1” and weighted 235 pounds.

The assault took place after Mike Miske met with his son’s teacher “over low test scores.”

Miske was upset by the news, took Caleb into his truck, and “struck him several times in the face, head and shoulder area,” Caleb reported after the incident.

“Caleb stated that the assault caused bleeding to his nose, bruising to his face and shoulder area and also pain to these areas,” according to court records.

“Observations to these areas show a 1 inch abrasion and bruising to his left shoulder blade area, swelling to both eye areas, scratches to the sides and rear of his neck and abrasions to both cheek areas,” records show.

“Caleb also stated that this was not the first occurrence of abuse but it was never reported before.”

Child Protective Service was notified and took Caleb into protective custody.

The school’s dean of students filed a police complaint, and Miske was charged with abuse of a family or household member.

Miske pleaded not guilty.

Court minutes show the state complained of difficulty serving Caleb, the complaining witness, who resided with Miske, the defendant.

Miske was then ordered to bring Caleb to court so that service could be made.

In July 2006, Miske agreed to plead guilty to an amended charge of 3rd degree assault, a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to a year on probation.