Father Arrested, Accused Of Stabbing 13-Year-Old Daughter And Wife

MIDDLETON, MA — A 54-year-old man was arrested and is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing after stabbing his wife and 13-year-old daughter in their Middleton home Friday morning, Essex Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall said.

A not guilty plea was entered on behalf of Paul Salvaggio, 54, at his arraignment in Salem District Court Friday afternoon. He is charged with armed assault with intent to murder (two counts), assault and battery on a child with substantial injury, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.

Middleton police responded to a 911 call from Salvaggio's 54-year-old wife inside their home on Stanley Road just after 6 a.m. Friday reporting a stabbing in progress. MacDougall said the 13-year-old was taken to Beverly Hospital and transferred to Boston Children's Hospital where she remains in critical, but stable condition as of Friday afternoon.

Salvaggio's wife was stabbed in an effort to protect her daughter, MacDougall said adding that she was taken to Beverly Hospital where she was treated and released.

A heavy police presence surrounded the home while some officers were seen marking off the area and a garage door with crime scene tape.

It's not clear what led to the stabbing, but the incident remains under investigation by the Middleton Police, Massachusetts State Police, and the Essex State Police Detective Unit.

Salvaggio's dangerousness hearing is scheduled for April 15.

No additional information was immediately available.