Family disturbance leads to stabbing, arrest
Published 3:41 pm Thursday, August 30, 2012
A disturbance between the parents of a baby led to a stabbing and an arrest on Thursday.
Port Arthur Police responded to a 911 report of a stabbing about 12:50 p.m. Aug. 30 in the 3200 block of 24th Street. Preliminary but sketchy 911 calls indicated that a baby had been “hit” in the course of whatever was taking place, according to a press release from Port Arthur Police Department.
Investigation revealed that the incident occurred nearby in the 2500 block of Fifth Avenue with a dispute between a man and a woman who were the parents of the baby.
The woman, after gaining control of the baby, reportedly took the child to the 24th Street location and left the child there. Police believe she returned to the Fifth Avenue location with a brick and a knife.
Subsequently, a man received a stab wound to the center portion of his upper back about level with his right shoulder blade, according to police reports.
The man, identified as Josue Salamanca, 19, of Port Arthur, was transported to Christus Hospital-St. Elizabeth. His condition is not known at this time however he was conscious and ambulatory at the time of the investigation.
The 15-month-old baby was taken to Christus Hospital-St. Mary. The child’s injuries did not appear to be serious. Police believe at this point the toddler was hit by a relative who became involved in the fray. It is not yet determined whether the toddler was hit accidentally or intentionally.
A female, Sabrina Melancon, 18, of Port Arthur, was arrested for aggravated assault/family violence.
Port Arthur Police Criminal Investigations Division will continue to investigate the case.