Updated at: 12/02/2009 10:06 AM
By: Laura Kennedy
lkennedy@wdio.com

Cloquet Woman Charged With Assault

45-year-old Shawn Marie Melton was charged Tuesday with first degree assault. According to the criminal complaint, the charge is related to an altercation that happened this past Saturday night. Police say they received a 911 call from Melton around 10 p.m. They say Melton told the dispatchers she stabbed her boyfriend, 41-year-old John Kaarbo, "because he told me to." Melton admitted to officers that the two of them had been fighting.

The complaint says authorities recovered a 12-inch butcher knife from the scene. Police say responding officers found Kaarbo awake and lying on the couch with his hands clutched to his chest. He allegedly told officers that Melton had stabbed him in the chest. The complaint says police asked Kaarbo if he told her to stab him, he said "absolutely not."

Kaarbo was airlifted to the hospital where he underwent surgery. Doctors told police Kaarbo had critical injuries including two stab wounds to his torso.

According to the complaint, officers on scene noticed evidence of a struggle. Melton was also treated at the hospital for a broken nose and bruises to her face and head. After being released, she was transported to the St. Louis County Jail where she is currently in custody.

Melton's bail was set at $75,000 thousand dollars. Her next court appearance is December 23rd.