Michael L. Kuehl
Leonardtown, MD – On June 12, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Potter made contact with a male teenager on Point Lookout Road in regards to a possible assault.
Potter reported the teen appeared to be distraught, and was obviously crying and upset. The male stated, “I need to get ahold of DHS.” Potter believed “he was referring to DSS [Department of Social Services],” according to charging documents.
Potter spoke to the victim, who stated no one loved him or cared for him. The victim told Potter he was “from Iowa and had been sent here [Maryland] as a punishment,” according to charging documents.
The victim stated he was put on a plane and sent to live with his uncle, who is also the defendant in this case. The defendant was identified as Michael L. Kuehl, 46, of Primghar, IA.
Potter noticed a slight bruise on the side of the victim’s face. Potter asked the victim about the mark and the victim said Kuehl struck him on the edge of the face. The victim also stated he was hit on the buttocks several times by Kuehl, who administered the severe beating with his leather belt. The deputy confirmed the victim had several severe, multi-colored markings on his buttocks from the belt.
The victim said the beating occurred June 12 after his uncle got home from work. The beating was a punishment for trying to run away. Every time the victim spoke about his uncle or the incident, he became uncomfortable and upset. Several times, he began to cry during the interview.
Kuehl’s primary residence is in Iowa; his presence in Southern Maryland is job-related.
The defendant has been charged with one count of second-degree assault and two counts of second-degree child abuse.
Kuehl has a scheduled hearing set for July 1 in District Court. Kuehl faces a maximum jail sentence 40 years and/or a maximum fine of $2,500.
Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com