Tiffin father allegedly used his child as a shield

TIFFIN - A Tiffin man was arrested Sunday, accused of using his child as a human shield while being threatened with a knife by his wife, authorities said.

According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, 37-year-old Humberto Galarza Jr. of Clear Creek Mobile Home Park struck his wife and bruised her left eye around noon Sunday.

Deputies said when she grabbed a kitchen knife to defend herself, Galarza allegedly grabbed the child around the neck and an electric knife blade to protect himself from possible attack.

All three of the couple's children were present, deputies said.

According to reports, Galarza was charged with domestic abuse assault without intent causing injury, a serious misdemeanor, and child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor.

If convicted he faces a maximum of three years in prison and up to $6,500 in fines, deputies said.