Michael Mazurek

A Butler man charged with threatening to kill his children and their pet cat during a fight at the family's home in March was sentenced Thursday to probation.

Michael E. Mazurek, 50, was sentenced to one year of county probation by President Judge Thomas Doerr. He was also ordered to pay court costs and continue mental health treatment and taking prescribed medications.

Mazurek previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment before Judge Timothy McCune on Oct. 18.

He was initially charged with a felony count of endangering the welfare of children and misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats, cruelty to animals, simple assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and possession of drug paraphernalia, after an incident at his home on Kennedy Lane in Summit Township March 16.

The cruelty to animals charge was withdrawn at the magisterial district judge level, and the remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea.

Pennsylvania State Police filed the charges after being called to the home for a family dispute, where it was reported that Mazurek threatened the family cat by holding a 12-inch sheath knife to its throat.

Mazurek's 25-year-old son, Dylan Mazurek, was able to get the cat away before Michael Mazurek threatened to kill him and his 17-year-old brother.

No one was injured in the altercation

Police said they found Michael Mazurek in his bedroom and he told them they could find the knife in a hidden compartment in the bed's headboard.

While being questioned, documents said, Mazurek became “uncooperative” and had to have his hands cuffed.

Police said as they led Mazurek out of the house, they noticed a suspected marijuana pipe on a desk, to which he confessed ownership.