This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Salt Lake County girl ended her 14th birthday in protective custody after her father allegedly punched her because she tried to stop him from fighting during her birthday party Sunday in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
The man, 42, had been drinking and fighting with guests at the girl's party at Storm Mountain in Big Cottonwood Canyon, said Unified Police Lt. Manfred Lassig. The man threatened the guests with a fire poker, a knife and a beer bottle, Lassig said.
The girl tried to intervene, and the man punched her, Lassig said, and when she tried to intervene a second time, he punched her again.
The man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and child abuse, Lassig said. The girl was placed in protective custody.
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