Lima man to remain in psych hospital for mother’s stabbing

LIMA — A Lima man who allegedly stabbed his mother in 2021 will remain at a mental health treatment center, a judge ruled Friday.

Kevin Stahr, 26, is charged with first-degree felony attempted murder and two counts of second-degree felonious assault for allegedly attacking his mother, Kelly Stahr, with a knife on June 4, 2021. His mother testified on Friday that he stabbed her three times — one time in her inner arm and two in her abdomen. She required surgery for her wounds.

According to court documents, the man is schizophrenic and autistic.

Kelly Stahr testified that her son changed into a winter coat before the attack, and the two of them were sitting outside their home around a table with her boyfriend, Timothy Stapleton, when Kevin Stahr stood up and walked behind his mother. She said Stapleton told her to look at her son because he was acting strange.

Kelly Stahr said when she stood up to look, Kevin Stahr produced the butcher knife from his coat and began to stab her. She said Stapleton distracted the man long enough for her to get to a neighbor’s home and for police and paramedics to arrive.

The man had been released from a psychiatric treatment center 11 days prior to the incident for attempting to push his mother down the stairs almost a year earlier, Kelly Stahr testified.

Assistant Allen County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Thines said Stahr has a “severe mental illness” and should remain in treatment for his safety and others’.

Allen County Common Plea Court Judge Terri Kohlrieser said there is “clear and convincing” evidence that Stahr committed attempted murder and felonious assault on his mother.