ROCKLAND — A Camden man who police say has physically abused his family over several years remains in jail after he was arrested last month for violating a protection from abuse order obtained by his wife.

Senad Brkic, 42, was arrested Dec. 14 after he went to the home where his wife and two daughters live in Camden. One of the daughters called police after he was knocking on the doors and windows, reports said. Police arrested Brkic and transported him to the Knox County Jail. His bail was set at $2,500 for that offense.

On Dec. 18, Brkic appeared in Knox County Unified Court after he was also charged with two counts of aggravated assault and domestic violence assault. Judge Susan Sparaco set a concurrent bail at $2,500 cash.

Brkic remains in jail and before he can be released, he must reach a contract agreement with the Maine Pre-Trail Services. The state requests the following conditions of bail including no contact, direct, or indirect with his wife and two daughters, not going to or entering their residence in Camden, place of employment, schools, and not using or possessing any dangerous weapons. He will also be subject to random searches and testing.

According to the affidavit filed in court by Detective Dwight Burtis of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the family said that they have experienced multiple assaults by Brkic over several years. The daughters reported that when their mother is not present, he would hit them in the head with his fist.

One of the daughters stated that during one assault, Brkic grabbed her and squeezed her neck while holding her down on the couch. The victim said that she could not breathe for two to three seconds during that assault, according to police.

The other daughter reported to police about other multiple assaults on the family, again over several years. She said that one time Brkic strangled her in the car, causing her to lose her breath, and then proceeded to bang her head on the window while grabbing her hair.

The wife reported that she was assaulted by Brkic numerous times, including an incident in 2009 when she was treated at Waldo County General Hospital for broken ribs. The detective verified the hospital’s records to confirm her report. 

Two years ago, the wife said he denied her requests to transport their 2-year-old daughter to Pen Bay Medical Center when the child was sick with the flu. She told police that she finally “disobeyed” him and brought the child to the hospital. She died soon after from complications from the illness.

According to the affidavit, the family has lived in the United States for 16 years. The wife said that when she had threatened to complain about her husband’s abuse in the past, he replied that she did not know the law and he would win in court. She also said that she rarely left the house and was not allowed to have a job or meet new people.

The wife told the detective that her husband has post-traumatic stress disorder from fighting in Bosnia. He also lost his left arm with fighting in the war, according to the affidavit.

Brkic’s court appointed attorney is David Paris of Bath.

He will appear in court again on Feb. 15.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com