Oxygen Insider Exclusive!

Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!

Sign Up for Free to View
Crime News Breaking News

Drunk Daughter Sentenced For Breaking Father's Skull Open And Beating Him With Fire Poker

Briana Rideout beat her own father with a fire poker and large piece of firewood so brutally that he suffered two fractures to his skull.

By Gina Tron

A Maine woman drunkenly attacked her own father, beating him with a fire poker and piece of firewood so badly it split his skull.

Briana L. Rideout, 21, of Whitefield, admitted to the attack and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge on Tuesday in connection with the violent 2017 incident, the Kennebec Journal reports.

She has been sentenced to 150 days in prison as a result of a plea agreement. She had originally faced a felony aggravated assault charge.

In March 2017, Rideout showed up drunk to her father’s home in Randolph and then continued drinking with him in his basement, according to the Kennebec Journal.

At some point, the family members got into an argument and it turned violent, the Associated Press reports. The disagreement was reportedly over money amongst other issues, according to the Kennebec Journal.

At some point, Rideout screamed at her father and he responded by pushing her to move her away from him. She fell over, and that’s when she turned violent. She then hit him over the head with a large piece of firewood.

As a result, Rideout’s dad suffered two fractures to his skull in addition to bruises all over his body. He also endured a large cut over one of his eyes. It’s unclear how long his recovery process was, the Associated Press reports.

Law enforcement intervened in the family dispute after they received a report of a badly beaten man being treated a hospital. During their investigation, deputies reportedly found blood on the floor of the victim’s home, in addition to the weapons of choice, according to the Kennebec Journal. As for the weapons, deputies noted that when they found the the piece of firewood, a chunk of it was missing.

Rideout’s attorney spoke to her personal improvements since then on Tuesday in court. She said her client underwent and completed counseling and has been able to hold down a job for the past six months.

“Ms. Rideout, I commend you,” District Court Judge Eric Walker told Rideout during this week’s sentencing, according to the Kennebec Journal. “You’ve earned this result, it’s not something that’s just being given to you.”

[Photo: Kennebec County Sheriff's Office]