HAMMOND — Sonya Diaz, 30, and Marco Antonio Moreno, 37, both of Hammond, face felony neglect charges after their three children allegedly witnessed a violent domestic altercation that ended with Moreno suffering multiple knife wounds.

According to court documents, Hammond Police responded around 10:54 p.m. Aug. 25 to the 6400 block of Nebraska Avenue after a relative reported Diaz was being battered by Moreno, a knife was involved and children were inside the home.

Officers allegedly found Moreno lying unresponsive outside the residence with multiple lacerations. He was breathing but appeared intoxicated and was transported to a local hospital.

Diaz reportedly came outside covered in blood and told police she was tired of Moreno hitting her and had stabbed him in self-defense. Officers also observed swelling on her forehead.

Three children, ages 12, 7 and 5, were found inside the blood-covered residence but were not physically injured. Police allegedly observed blood on the 7-year-old’s hands and recovered a blood-covered butcher knife.

According to investigators, the 7-year-old appeared extremely upset and struggled to describe what happened.

The 12-year-old told investigators Moreno had struck Diaz in the head outside the home before the confrontation continued inside. The child allegedly heard the couple arguing and said Diaz eventually grabbed a knife and stabbed Moreno in the arm after he continued hitting her, describing “blood everywhere.”

Diaz told investigators the couple had been drinking at a bar earlier that evening and argued about their relationship. After returning home, Diaz said she initially told Moreno to sleep in his vehicle but eventually allowed him inside.

Diaz admitted pushing Moreno toward the door after he insulted her. She alleged Moreno then punched her, grabbed her from behind and forced her head onto a kitchen countertop as the children watched.

According to the affidavit, the fight continued until Moreno allegedly pushed Diaz to the floor and began choking her. The 7-year-old then allegedly said he was going to get a knife.

Diaz admitted telling the child to give the knife to her. She told investigators that when Moreno approached, she closed her eyes and “swiped” at him with the knife, causing him to bleed.

Diaz claimed Moreno continued fighting with her before eventually becoming “woozy” and leaving the residence. She also allegedly admitted losing her temper during the confrontation after Moreno repeatedly insulted her.

Moreno gave investigators a different account the following day. He said the couple’s argument began at a bar and alleged Diaz later struck him and continued hitting him inside a vehicle. Moreno admitted punching Diaz once in the stomach but claimed he was trying to escape.

Moreno’s account of what happened at the residence was reportedly inconsistent, but he allegedly remembered Diaz asking one of the children to get her a knife. He claimed Diaz swung the knife about three times, cutting his hand and arm.

Investigators observed medically treated lacerations and stitches on Moreno’s hands and arm. Moreno said he attempted to restrain Diaz after she produced the knife and later left the residence before collapsing outside because he felt dizzy.

Diaz and Moreno had reportedly been together for approximately 14 years, and Moreno is the father of all three children.

Charges filed Aug. 27 include:

Sonya Diaz, 30: Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 felony.

Marco Antonio Moreno, 37: Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 felony.

The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.