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Man cited after forcing son to wear Packers sweat shirt, says he was only joking
By Matthew Call, Daily Register
A Pardeeville father accused of forcing his 7-year-old son to wear a Packers sweat shirt and then tying him up during the divisional playoff game last weekend said the incident was a joke that "got blown way out of proportion."
Mathew Kowald, 36, was cited for disorderly conduct Wednesday after authorities arrested him Monday on tentative felony charges of causing mental harm to a child and false imprisonment. He was issued only a disorderly conduct citation for the incident.
Kowald reportedly forced a Packers sweat shirt on the boy, who said to his father that he refused to root for the Packers and was told by Kowald that anyone who said that would be grounded. Kowald allegedly also wrapped his son in insulation tape, forcing him to watch the football game.
"He wanted the juvenile to be a Packers fan, and I would suggest he went about it the wrong way," Columbia County Lt. Wayne Smith said.
The boy's mother took pictures of the incident on her cell phone camera and filed them with the sheriff's department.
Kowald pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct after he was released from the Columbia County Jail. He received a fine of $186.
Wednesday afternoon, Kowald said his son was challenging him in a friendly manner that he would not root for the Packers against the Seattle Seahawks when Kowald got home from work Saturday and began to watch the football game.
In a joking manner, Kowald told his son to put on the Packers sweat shirt and his son refused, throwing it back at him in jest, Kowald said.
In a continuation of that joke, Kowald said he tied the boy up and that his son was laughing at first.
"It was like if you buried someone in the sand," Kowald said. "My wife was sitting right there, taking pictures, laughing."
"Then he couldn't get out and he got upset and that's it. It lasted a minute," Kowald added. "I didn't mean no harm, and he knows that, but I haven't been able to tell him that."
Reached by phone Wednesday, the boy's mother, Rebecca Kowald, declined to comment. According to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Web site, she filed a restraining order Wednesday against her husband.
Kowald said he hasn't been able to see his 7-year-old son and his two other children since his arrest, and he plans to meet with a social worker today and then arrange a visit. Kowald said he wants to tell his children that he loves them.
"I know I sound like the Big Bad Wolf, but anyone who knows me knows I'm not," he said. "It was just for fun. To me, it's something dads do with their kids, they wrestle around.
"I never would have dreamed something like this would happen."
Columbia County District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said there was not enough evidence to support the felony charges.
"I wouldn't agree with what he did," Kohlwey said. "But, legally, a parent can restrain a child."
"I have no proof of emotional damage," Kohlwey added. "I have to follow the law."
According to a Columbia County Sheriff's Department report, Kowald told his son "he wasn't allowed to get out (of the tape) unless he was going to be a Packer fan."
Rebecca Kowald reported the incident Monday, the sheriff's department said.
Kowald allegedly came home around 5 p.m. Saturday and began yelling because he could not find a television remote control, according to a sheriff's department report.
After wrapping the boy's wrists and ankles together, his mother asked Kowald if she could free him, according to the report. Kowald reportedly said no but let the boy's sister cut him free with a pair of scissors.
The boy told the sheriff's department he was not injured in the incident. The boy also said he was a Packers fan and was scared of being tied up.
By Matthew Call, Daily Register
A Pardeeville father accused of forcing his 7-year-old son to wear a Packers sweat shirt and then tying him up during the divisional playoff game last weekend said the incident was a joke that "got blown way out of proportion."
Mathew Kowald, 36, was cited for disorderly conduct Wednesday after authorities arrested him Monday on tentative felony charges of causing mental harm to a child and false imprisonment. He was issued only a disorderly conduct citation for the incident.
Kowald reportedly forced a Packers sweat shirt on the boy, who said to his father that he refused to root for the Packers and was told by Kowald that anyone who said that would be grounded. Kowald allegedly also wrapped his son in insulation tape, forcing him to watch the football game.
"He wanted the juvenile to be a Packers fan, and I would suggest he went about it the wrong way," Columbia County Lt. Wayne Smith said.
The boy's mother took pictures of the incident on her cell phone camera and filed them with the sheriff's department.
Kowald pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct after he was released from the Columbia County Jail. He received a fine of $186.
Wednesday afternoon, Kowald said his son was challenging him in a friendly manner that he would not root for the Packers against the Seattle Seahawks when Kowald got home from work Saturday and began to watch the football game.
In a joking manner, Kowald told his son to put on the Packers sweat shirt and his son refused, throwing it back at him in jest, Kowald said.
In a continuation of that joke, Kowald said he tied the boy up and that his son was laughing at first.
"It was like if you buried someone in the sand," Kowald said. "My wife was sitting right there, taking pictures, laughing."
"Then he couldn't get out and he got upset and that's it. It lasted a minute," Kowald added. "I didn't mean no harm, and he knows that, but I haven't been able to tell him that."
Reached by phone Wednesday, the boy's mother, Rebecca Kowald, declined to comment. According to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Web site, she filed a restraining order Wednesday against her husband.
Kowald said he hasn't been able to see his 7-year-old son and his two other children since his arrest, and he plans to meet with a social worker today and then arrange a visit. Kowald said he wants to tell his children that he loves them.
"I know I sound like the Big Bad Wolf, but anyone who knows me knows I'm not," he said. "It was just for fun. To me, it's something dads do with their kids, they wrestle around.
"I never would have dreamed something like this would happen."
Columbia County District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said there was not enough evidence to support the felony charges.
"I wouldn't agree with what he did," Kohlwey said. "But, legally, a parent can restrain a child."
"I have no proof of emotional damage," Kohlwey added. "I have to follow the law."
According to a Columbia County Sheriff's Department report, Kowald told his son "he wasn't allowed to get out (of the tape) unless he was going to be a Packer fan."
Rebecca Kowald reported the incident Monday, the sheriff's department said.
Kowald allegedly came home around 5 p.m. Saturday and began yelling because he could not find a television remote control, according to a sheriff's department report.
After wrapping the boy's wrists and ankles together, his mother asked Kowald if she could free him, according to the report. Kowald reportedly said no but let the boy's sister cut him free with a pair of scissors.
The boy told the sheriff's department he was not injured in the incident. The boy also said he was a Packers fan and was scared of being tied up.
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