Atwater woman arrested in stabbing case

A 61-year-old Atwater man suffered minor injuries Saturday when he was stabbed in the arm, allegedly by his 29-year-old girlfriend, the Police Department said.

The victim was taken to an area hospital before noon Saturday where he was treated and released. His wounds appeared to be “superficial,” Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

Shantel Hamilton, who police described as the victim’s girlfriend, was booked at the Merced County jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, and misdemeanor battery. She was still in custody Sunday with bail set at $60,000, according to booking records.

Police responded before noon Saturday to the area of East Bellevue Road and Crest Road in northeast Atwater. Initial reports indicated an unknown man had stabbed another man during some type of altercation in the area, police said.

Officers learned shortly afterwrd that the victim had been involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend at a home in the 1100 block of Kelso Street, a short distance from the area where the victim was located, police said.

Police said Hamilton allegedly stabbed her boyfriend with a knife during the argument.

This story was originally published January 4, 2015 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Atwater woman arrested in stabbing case."