NORTHWOOD — A Worth County District Court judge issued a warrant Monday for a 26-year-old man accused of stabbing two people at the Schoolside Apartments in June.

Donald Monte Baker of Northwood reportedly failed to appear for a hearing where he was expected to plead guilty to an amended charge in the case. District Court Judge Colleen Weiland issued a $5,000 cash-only bond.

Baker faces a charge of assault in the alleged June 5 stabbing of Bennie Montgomery, 28, and Valerie Merrideth, 26, both of Northwood, after an altercation at the apartments at 607 Seventh St. N.

Baker allegedly used a kitchen knife in the attack, according to reports.

Montgomery was flown by Mercy Air Med helicopter to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City for injuries. Merrideth drove herself to Mercy, where she was treated and released for less severe stab wounds, according to reports.

Worth County Attorney Jeffrey Greve said this was the third plea change court date where Baker has stated that something came up at the last minute and he would be unable to attend.

“The third time was too much,” Greve said.

Baker initially had been released from the Worth County jail on his own recognizance with supervision by the Iowa Department of Corrections. Shortly after, he reportedly decided he was going to return to the Chicago area.

Worth County Sheriff Jay Langenbau said in a previous interview that there had been ongoing trouble between the two men that intensified that night.