Former Camden man accused of assaulting family enters plea deal with state

Mon, 03/11/2019 - 3:30pm

    ROCKLAND — A former Camden man who is accused of physically abusing his family over several years will not serve any additional jail time if he follows a two-year deferred disposition agreement reached with the state and his attorney Feb. 28.

    Senad Brkic, 42, appeared at a hearing with Justice Bruce Mallonee presiding Feb. 28 in Knox County Unified Court. He entered a no-contest plea to a single count of aggravated assault.

    The additional charges of aggravated assault, one count of domestic violence assault, and endangering the welfare of a child were all dismissed as part of the plea agreement.  

    According to the deferred disposition agreement , Brkic, who is now living in Portland, must not have any contact with his family at their residence, place of employment, and schools, continue with mental health counseling and refrain from any criminal conduct.

    If Brkic violates the terms of the deferred disposition, he will be charged with aggravated assault and face open sentencing.

    Brkic was arrested Dec. 14, 2017, 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, 2017, 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.

    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 in one instance, 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.

    Related story:

    https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/camden-man-remains-jail-accused-abusing-his-family-over-several-years/96646

    Sarah Shepherd can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com