Police: Man put 2-year-old son in dog kennel

APPLETON - A 34-year-old Fox Valley man is charged after allegedly hitting, tying up and later locking his two-year-old son in a dog kennel in a dark room.

Police say the man beat his two-year old son and put the toddler in a kennel. Michael Kitzman was arrested last weekend for the incident which allegedly happened in October.

On a Saturday night last October, Fox Valley Metro police say Michael Kitzman was at his home in Little Chute.

According to Officer Scott Vanschyndel, Kitzman's two-year-old son gave the family dog one of his siblings' toys.

"Mr. Kitzman struck the child a few times, basically, as he states, kind of lost his temper," said Vanschyndel.

Vanschyndel went on to tell us the hits left bruises on the boy. He said Kitzman then tied the toddler's arms and legs with clothing and left him like that for about 45 minutes.

"On the living room floor with his stomach to the floor for a period of time," said Vanschyndel.

After untying the child, Vanschyndel said Kitzman put the boy in a dog kennel and put the kennel in another, dark room.

"He was locked in the kennel for a period of time until the child fell asleep," said Vanschyndel.

According to the criminal complaint, Kitzman admits to most of what happened saying, "I just blew up...I just lost it and I blanked out."

Vanschyndel said this case serves as a reminder to parents to keep their cool, even when children are difficult.

"If you're starting to get to the point where you feel that you're losing control or losing your temper, you have to walk away from the situation," said Vanschyndel.

Kitzman's bond is set at $10,000 cash. He also cannot have contact with the child or any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Kitzman is scheduled to return to court Feb. 11 for his preliminary hearing.