A Wilton father accused of stabbing his teenage son made his first appearance in court Tuesday.

Charles Steward, 53, has no criminal history, but is now charged with assault and tampering with physical evidence. He has been in police custody since Friday night.

Authorities say they responded to Steward's home on Deer Run Road and found his 18-year-old son outside wearing a blood-stained shirt.

Police say the father and son were in an argument during which Steward threw kitchen knives at his son, but didn’t hit him.

Lt. Robert Kluk told News 12 that that Steward’s son was trying to hide behind a couch when his father reached over and stabbed him in the back.

Defense attorney Mickey Sherman told the judge the allegations are just the tip of the iceberg. He says there is more to the story that has been told.

Investigators say Steward hid all the knives before the police arrived. Sherman called that a misinterpretation of what happened.

“I think what really happened is that he took the knives and put them away so that the kids couldn't get at them. But more importantly, so that this young man couldn't get at them,” says Sherman.

Sherman says the victim's injury was minor and he was treated and released from the hospital that night. Steward posted bond and was ordered to have no contact with his three children, including the victim.