Advance man charged with elder abuse; victim's skull fractured

An Advance, Missouri, man was arrested after he allegedly hit his father in the head, fracturing his skull.

Eric D. Eaker, 52, was charged with first-degree domestic assault and first-degree elder abuse after an incident Friday in Bollinger County.

Bollinger County Sheriff's Cpl. Michael Henson responded to a report of an elderly man covered in blood standing on Route W in Greenbriar, Missouri, Henson wrote in a probable-cause statement.

Henson arrived to find Jack D. Eaker, 76, at a neighbor's home, waiting for emergency medical service.

Eaker told Henson he had been in his camper when his son, Eric Eaker, knocked on the door, Henson wrote.

When the elder Eaker opened the door, he said, Eric Eaker began beating him in the head and pulled him out of the camper; he said he was not sure why it happened, the affidavit said.

Henson reported Jack Eaker had lacerations above his right eye and on the top and back of his head, as well as blood on his head and shoulders.

He was transported to a Cape Girardeau hospital for treatment.

Results of his exam showed his skull had been fractured, and he had a broken tibia in his leg from being kicked while on the ground, Henson wrote. He received three staples in the back of his head.

Henson questioned Eric Eaker at his home, where he was found sitting with a small, wood-handled ice pick in his hand, Henson wrote.

Henson read him his rights, and when asked what had happened with his father, Eric Eaker replied, "It had been a long time coming," according to the affidavit.

Eric Eaker's version of events was he had gone to the elder Eaker's home and asked to use the phone.

As Jack Eaker handed him the phone, he swung at his son and missed, Henson wrote.

Eric Eaker hit his father in the face and a second time in the head, at which point he fell, according to Henson.

Eric Eaker told Henson he hit his father a third time as he was on the ground, looking away from him.

He said he didn't know why his father would try to hit him.

In his statement, Henson said Eric Eaker's right hand was slightly swollen around the knuckles and had some blood on it. He also found blood in and around the camper door at the scene.

Eric Eaker told Henson he had drunk a 12-pack that day but had not had any illegal drugs. A breath test showed Eric Eaker's blood alcohol content to be 0.134; a urine test came back positive for methamphetamine, Henson wrote.

Judge Scott Thomsen set Eric Eaker's bond at $50,000 cash only.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646

Pertinent address:

Route W, Bollinger County, MO

Advance, MO