ROCHESTER - A local father remains in jail on $50,000 cash bail in connection with a domestic dispute where he allegedly took his 10-month-old son after striking the child's mother with a car Tuesday afternoon.

Dennis Allan Meeks, 34, of 71 Congress St. Apt. B, was charged with reckless conduct, theft by unauthorized taking and interference with the custody of a child stemming from an incident near their home.

He allegedly struck the woman with a car, took her cell phone and then left the scene with the child to visit friends who were unaware of the encounter. After receiving a tip, police later found Meeks and the child walking around at a nearby mobile home park on Day Lily Lane, according to court records.

Meeks, who was arrested without incident, was taken to Strafford County Jail in Dover while the child, who was not injured, was returned to his mother, according to police.

During a video arraignment Thursday, Judge Daniel Cappiello agreed with Walsh’s recommendations and ordered to keep bail at $50,000 cash with the conditions he have no contact with the woman, the child – even through state agencies - or the witnesses in the case. Additionally, Meeks must stay away from their apartment and not possess any weapons, use drugs and refrain from using an excessive amount of alcohol.

Assistant County Attorney Dorothy Walsh said Meeks has a “lengthy criminal history” and has been previously convicted 16 times between 1996 and 2001, including for disorderly conduct, robbery, witness tampering, parole violations, receiving stolen property and simple assault.

Meeks asked the court to reduce bail to a “more reasonable amount” such as $10,000 cash or surety and said the convictions were in the past.

“Those were more than 10-plus years ago,” Meeks argued, adding he didn’t feel it was fair to bring them up again.

“I’ve been trying to do the right thing,” Meeks said, adding he is working and was going to begin counseling.

Nonetheless, Cappiello said he felt the bail was reasonable and suggested Meeks speak to an attorney before addressing the issue again.

Reckless conduct is a felony, which could yield up to 3 ½ to 7 years in prison, while theft by unauthorized taking and interference with the custody of a child are both Class A Misdemeanors which could result in a year in jail for each count, if convicted.

Meeks entered no plea to the felony and plead not guilty to the misdemeanors.

What's NextMeeks is scheduled to appear at a probable cause hearing in Rochester July 26 at 1 p.m. for the felony charge and at a trial Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. for the misdemeanors.