Montco Man Who Used Shock Collars On Children Facing Additional Felonies For Beating Wife: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA -- The alleged crimes keep adding up on the Lower Providence man arrested last week for carrying out six years of beatings on his wife and children. Authorities announced Thursday morning that additional charges have been field against Joseph Myhre, 44, specific to the assaults on his wife.

The Lower Providence man is now being charged with multiple felony counts of aggravated assault and strangulation, in addition to unlawful restraint, simple assault, reckless endangerment, possession of an instrument of crime, and harassment, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

Previously, he had only been charged with aggravated assault and strangulation.

Over a roughly six year period, authorities allege that Myhre executed a wide range of brutal assaults on his two young children, including jumping on their stomachs, slamming their heads into the ground, kicking them in the stomach, and using dog shock collars on them, according to the DA.

An assault against his wife on March 15, and her resulting testimony, is what led authorities to investigate Myhre. During an incident that day, Myhre pinned her to the floor of their home and repeatedly punched her in the back of the head.When Myhre fell asleep she was able to drive herself to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a fractured skull.

Myhre is in Montgomery County Correctional Facility now in lieu of $1 million bail. A preliminary hearing has been set for 10:30 a.m. on April 19 before Judge Cathleen Rebar.

Image courtesy Montgomery County District Attorney's Office