EAGLE GROVE — The interim police chief for the Eagle Grove Police Department is facing criminal charges after he allegedly encouraged his son to stab the child’s mother.

According to court documents, Mark Hennigar, 46, is charged with solicitation to commit a felony. Hennigar is currently the interim chief of police for the City of Eagle Grove.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Hancock County, a police officer in Garner was called to 560 Concord St. on Dec. 4 on a report of a 9-year-old juvenile who was holding a knife to his mother and a family support worker. Upon arrival, the officer was able to speak with the juvenile and secure the knife.

The juvenile later refused to leave the residence so the officer called Hennigar, who is the child’s father, to help resolve the situation. According to the officer, Hennigar then got into an argument with the child’s mother over speaker phone and cursed at her, later telling his son to “grab the (expletive) knife, stab her in the (expletive) throat, and call it good.”

According to the officer, the juvenile then said “alright,” turned toward the knife, cracked his knuckles, and attempted to retrieve the knife. The officer was able to stop the juvenile and escort him out of the home.

According to court documents, multiple filings have been made in the case regarding protection orders and custody of the pair’s three children. Both the personal and work cell phones of the involved Garner police officer have also been made part of evidence in the case.

Hennigar was charged with solicitation to commit a felony on Dec. 5. He waived his preliminary healing on Dec. 9. His arraignment is set for 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 in Hancock County District Court.