SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A 12-year-old boy attempting to defend his mother from an assault by his father stabbed the father Friday morning in an altercation in the 3500 block of South Welwood.

Springfield Police Sgt. Tonya Price told KOLR10 that charges are expected against the man who was stabbed. His injuries are not life-threatening, she said.

The boy, who ran to a nearby address in the 1400 block of East Powell after the incident, was released to a relative after talking with police.

Domestic assault charges are expected against the father, who had walked to Cox South hospital for treatment of his injuries, Price said.