FAIRFIELD, Calif. -- A Northern California boy is under suspicion of stabbing his 45-year-old stepfather to death while the man tried to beat the boy's mother.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the man's wife called 911 on Sunday to report she could not wake her husband. Police say they arrived at the scene and found the man was stabbed multiple times on his side.

Police say the couple was involved in an argument that became physical when the boy went to the kitchen and came back with a knife, which he used to defend his mother.

Police told the paper they reviewed the case with the Solano County District Attorney's office and Child Welfare services, and said the boy is not being arrested or charged.

Officer have made multiple visits to the house and have arrested the man at least once on suspicion of domestic violence, police told the paper.

Officials say they are not releasing the boy's name or age because of how young he is.