Man Charged With Felony After Being Accused of Biting 6-Month-Old Child
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A man faces charges after investigators say he bit his six-month-old child while caring for the child in Owatonna.
The charges stem from an incident reported to authorities in early October 2025 after investigators were alerted to possible abuse involving a six-month-old child.
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Kyle Richard Dagit, 22, of Owatonna, is charged with felony third-degree assault of a victim under four, two counts of malicious punishment of a child and misdemeanor domestic assault, according to a criminal complaint filed in Steele County District Court.
According to the complaint, a report of suspected child abuse was sent to Owatonna investigators on Oct. 10 after family members noticed a circular bruise on the child’s right shoulder. An officer observed the mark and described it as a light brown circular bruise with no bruising in the center, covering much of the child’s right shoulder. Family members believed the injury was a bite mark.
Investigators determined the injury occurred on Oct. 7 while the child was left in Dagit’s care. The child’s mother and grandmother had left the home around 9 a.m., and Dagit was responsible for putting the child down for a nap. The mother later told police she believed the injury occurred around 10 a.m.
Family members initially reported that Dagit claimed the child flung herself backward, causing the injury. According to the complaint, Dagit later admitted to biting the child during a conversation at his parents’ home. The child’s mother told investigators she no longer trusted him and told him to leave the home.
The complaint states the mother also reported prior concerns, including Dagit becoming rough with the child during diaper changes and grabbing her wrists in past incidents to prevent her from leaving the downstairs bedroom. She said family members were often present during diaper changes to intervene when the child became upset or moved around.
During a later interview with social services, Dagit told authorities he became frustrated while trying to get the child to sleep and bit her on the shoulder, causing bruising. He also acknowledged feeling frustrated with the child on other occasions and said he would hold the child’s legs down when he became frustrated.
On Oct. 13, a social worker and a police officer met Dagit at his parents’ home. Dagit gave a different account, saying the bite was accidental and occurred when the child rocked backward and forward, causing her shoulder to make contact with his mouth. He again acknowledged becoming frustrated during diaper changes and said family members would intervene.
Dagit was charged by summons and is expected to make an initial court appearance on March 5. If convicted, the felony assault and felony malicious punishment charges each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
