According to court records reviewed by WBUR, Joseph Kutzko was charged after his then-15-year-old child reported an incident at the family’s Southborough home in January 2025. A police report alleges that Kutzko punched the child in the shoulder with a closed fist and pulled the child’s hair several times.

The report also describes alleged threats, including an incident in which Kutzko allegedly raised a clenched fist and threatened to punch the child. It further states that he threatened to kill the child over not singing in tune during a birthday celebration. Kutzko pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The following day, the teenager went to a school counsellor, who contacted police. Joseph Kutzko was subsequently arrested.

The teenager, who is now 17, has also sought legal protection from their parents. According to the reporting, the child filed for a restraining order after nearly a year in DCF custody.