On April 12 at 9:15 p.m., Deputy Potter responded to a residence on Lawrence Avenue in Leonardtown for reported child abuse. Investigation revealed a third party observed Mark Anselm Stokel, 46 of Leonardtown, strike a 7-year-old male, who was in Stokel’s care and custody, several times in the head. The child was wearing a bicycle helmet during the assault. The witness then saw Stokel place the child on the back of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and leave the area. The witness reported Stokel was hardly able to walk. Fearing for the child’s safety, the witness contacted the police. Potter located Stokel at his residence. Upon contact, Potter noticed Stokel was extremely intoxicated. Further investigation revealed Stokel took the child on several ATV rides during the day. During one ATV ride, Stokel’s erratic driving caused the ATV to flip while the child was a passenger on board. The Department of Social Services was notified and Stokel was placed under arrest. Stokel was charged with second-degree child abuse, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
