Police Say Drug Dispute Led to Brutal Stabbing, Beating

The Salem teen who beat and stabbed his mother Thursday morning on Cluff Crossing Road allegedly did so because his mother refused to give him his Adderall because she believed he was "overtaking" his medication.

Thomas George, 18, was arraigned on two first-degree assault with a deadly weapon charges Thursday afternoon in Salem District Court in connection to his attack on Catherine George, who was medflighted to Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital.

George was held on $250,000 cash-only bail after Salem Police Department prosecutor Jason Grosky outlined several reasons why the state believes George to be a danger to the community and others, including the fact that he threatened to stab his mother on Wednesday because she withheld the medication.

Detective Steve A. Woidyla wrote in the official affidavit that Catherine George said the assault took place Thursday morning while she was in bed. She told police that Thomas George entered her room "holding a hammer in one hand and a knife in the other" while "demanding his Adderall."

Catherine George told police she gave her son the medication despite her reservations Wednesday. Thomas George then "attacked" her by stabbing the right side of her neck, her right hand and left leg, according to Woidyla.

Woidyla said Thomas George also hit his mother on the head with the hammer as she tried to defend herself, later holding her down and telling her to "bleed out, bleed out - just let go," according to the affidavit.



More to come.