OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City man is facing criminal charges for allegedly hitting a six-year-old child with a belt multiple times.

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 32-year-old William Michael Kennedy.

According to a criminal complaint, on November 17, Oil City Police received a report of suspected child abuse involving a known six-year-old victim.

According to the complaint, Venango County Children and Youth Services assisted with the incident and had contacted the minor child. The child reported that William Kennedy had made him/her pull down his/her pants and then struck him/her multiple times with a belt.

The victim had visible injuries from the incident, the complaint notes.

Police also contacted a doctor with A Child’s Place of Mercy Hospital. The doctor indicated the photos of the child’s injuries depicted “diagnostic of physical child abuse causing substantial pain and temporary impairment,” according to the complaint.

Kennedy was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, on the following charges:

– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 1
– Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Misdemeanor 1

The above charges were held for court on Wednesday, December 1, and have been transferred to the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

Kennedy remains free on $15,000.00 unsecured bail.