A man from Missouri is in custody following allegations that he struck his wife’s 12-year-old daughter multiple times in the head, resulting in her losing consciousness and sustaining a concussion.
Dustin Woodrow Pierce has been charged with child abuse and is currently held at the Lincoln County Jail, with a cash bond set at $500,000. He could be sentenced to a prison term ranging from 10 to 30 years if found guilty.
A domestic call was received shortly before 8 p.m. on Nov. 22, prompting Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Marcus Peebles to respond, as detailed in a probable cause arrest affidavit. Peebles made his way to the residence and ascended the stairs.
“At the time of contact, the victim was hysterical, severely manic and repeatedly stated no and she was sorry,” Peebles wrote.
The mother informed Peebles that she was on the lower level while her daughter was in her room on the upper floor. According to authorities, she reported that Pierce instructed her daughter to tidy up the room, but the daughter declined to comply. Pierce reportedly informed the mother that if she did not take care of the situation, he would, and proceeded to the victim’s room.
The mother approached the room, and upon reaching the top of the stairs, she allegedly witnessed Pierce — standing at 5 feet 10 inches and weighing over 300 pounds — strike the girl in the head near her temple three times with the back of his hand. A mother reported to 911 that her daughter had become unresponsive.
Pierce reportedly said to the girl, “you’re fine and you’re weak.” A mother warned Pierce against touching the girl, yet he reportedly shoved her aside and stated he was heading into town. While Pierce shouted at the victim, she found herself “unable to respond.” Upon her mother’s arrival, the girl started to “breathe heavily” and scream, as reported by Peebles.
The deputy observed that there were no visible injuries on the girl; however, medical professionals at the hospital later confirmed a concussion diagnosis. According to Peebles, she struggled to keep a proper balance.
Michael Wood, the Prosecuting Attorney for Lincoln County, informed Lincoln News Now that additional medical examinations revealed the 12-year-old girl sustained “significant injuries to her brain.” The individual is collaborating with a physical therapist to recover motor skills, according to the report.
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“We have to draw the distinction between what citizens would call is reasonable corporate punishment and strikes to the head,” Wood told the newspaper. “I can’t overstate … striking a child in the head will never be acceptable corporate punishment.”
Prosecutors have stated that Pierce, a military veteran, suffers from “severe” post-traumatic stress disorder and is scheduled to attend a “intensive in-patient” PTSD clinic on December 30.
“Defendant has specialized military training and is a danger to himself and others,” prosecutors said.
Pierce will appear in court for a bond hearing on Monday.