Nazareth Mom Threw Baby on Floor, Police Say

Written by Jack Tobias

A Nazareth woman charged with throwing her 8-month-old son on the floor — and whose estranged husband killed a state trooper in 2009 — was herself assaulted by her boyfriend earlier this month while she held her son in her arms, court records say.

Richard David Altemose, 31, of 849 Milton St., Easton, defied a protection from abuse order against him, entered the woman's residence and punched her in the face while she held the infant. He also shoved her to the floor, the records say.

One of the charges says Altemose “caused harm” to the infant, but no injuries are specified.

Altemose also is accused of taking and destroying a safe not belonging to him to retrieve contents belonging to the woman.

The woman, Susan Autenrieth, 35, of 127 N. Broad St. in the borough, suffered a concussion and multiple contusions to her arms from Altemose’s alleged actions, the records say.

Autenrieth was charged July 3 for allegedly throwing her son on the floor during an incident at her residence earlier that day. The boy hit his head, according to a criminal complaint against Autenrieth.

The incident allegedly occurred during an argument with Altemose over her drug use, the complaint says.

According to a July 3 Morning Call web posting, Autenrieth’s estranged husband, Daniel Autenrieth, kidnapped the couple’s then 9-year-old son from Susan’s Nazareth home in June 2009.

He then led police on a 40-mile chase into Monroe County, which ended with a shootout between Autenrieth and state police. Trooper Joshua Miller, 34, and Autenreith, 31, were killed and another trooper was injured. The boy escaped unharmed, the posting says.

A criminal complaint against Altemose identifies Susan Autenrieth but does not list their relationship. But The Call posting identifies Altemose as her boyfriend.

The Call posting also identifies Autenrieth’s infant as an 8-month-old boy.

Meanwhile, it’s unclear when Altemose’s alleged assault occurred. The criminal complaint gives the incident’s date as July 5.

But borough Patrolman Daniel Troxell refers in the complaint to the July 3 incident in which Autenrieth was charged. He then says that “after reviewing reports from the incident and speaking to [assistant district attorney] Pat Broscius,” he “obtained more information on the criminal intent from the incident."

Troxell says he learned that Altemose had entered the Broad Street residence “knowing” there was a PFA in place “and attempted to assault” Autenrieth, causing multiple contusions to her arms.

Autenrieth sustained a concussion “after she was punched in the face while holding her infant in her arms,” Troxell writes.

Altemose was charged with endangering the welfare of children, simple assault, theft by unlawful taking or disposition and criminal mischief.

He was arraigned Wednesday night by on-duty District Judge Robert Hawke of Lehigh Township and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail.

Autenreith was charged with endangering the welfare of children, two counts of simple assault and a single count of harassment in the July 3 incident. She was jailed in lieu of $5,000 bail but posted bail later that day, online court records say.