Charges Dropped Against Alleged Pitchfork-Throwing Nazareth Man

Charges against a at an 8-year-old boy were dropped Tuesday after the boy failed to show up for a scheduled preliminary hearing in front of .

Michael Cummings, 58, of the 400 block of W. High Street had been free on 10 percent of $15,000 bail after being charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct on May 10.

Cummings, according to the boy's mother, dumped a beer on her son and then threw the pitchfork at him. The boy was riding his bike in the neighborhood before the incident, according to a criminal complaint, and a tire was punctured by the pitchfork.

When Officer Daniel Troxell spoke to the boy, who, according to the police report, was “scared and shaken,” he confirmed his mother’s account.

Troxell said Wednesday that the boy's mother, Julie Wagner, indicated she did not want to pursue the charges.

Police have two years to refile charges, according to Troxell.