MERCER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — An intoxicated Mercer County man faces domestic battery and child abuse charges after allegedly striking his 10-year-old child in the face and hitting the child with a belt.
According to a criminal complaint, a West Virginia State Police trooper responded to a home on New Zion Road at approximately 10:12 p.m. on Sunday, August 23.
While traveling to the residence, the trooper reportedly found John Dickerson walking along the road. The trooper observed blood on Dickerson’s arm and jeans, smelled a strong odor of alcohol and noticed that he was slurring his words. Dickerson was taken into custody without incident.
At the residence, the trooper found the child bleeding from a cut near the left eye, where swelling had begun. Ring camera footage allegedly showed Dickerson removing a belt and striking the child. The video also reportedly showed the child’s mother pulling Dickerson away.
Princeton Rescue Squad treated the child and cleaned the wound. The child was not immediately transported to a hospital but could receive additional treatment if complications develop.
Dickerson was transported to the West Virginia State Police Princeton Detachment for processing. He is charged with domestic battery and child abuse resulting in injury.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court.
