OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City man is facing child endangerment and related charges after allegedly hitting and bruising a child with a belt.

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 34-year-old Clifford Donald Doster, of Oil City, on June 12 in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office:

– Simple Assault — Grading, Victim Under 12 Defendant 18 or older, Misdemeanor 1
– Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Misdemeanor 1
– Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. for Wednesday, July 18, with Judge Fish presiding.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, around 5:10 p.m. on February 16, Officer Webster met with a known individual at the Oil City Police Department.

Officer Webster was shown pictures of a known juvenile who had bruising on her buttocks and was informed that the juvenile stated that “Cliff” had hit her with a belt the previous night.

Officers Webster and Lawton proceeded to a residence on Charleton Street in Oil City. Upon arrival, they made contact with the juvenile’s mother, who was informed of the complaint. The mother said she was not home when the incident occurred.

While at the residence, Officer Webster was informed by the juvenile’s siblings that Clifford Doster “spanked” the juvenile because she would not stop spinning on the floor and was not listening, according to the complaint.

On March 17, around 11:00 p.m., Doster was interviewed at the Oil City Police Department. After being read and waiving his Miranda warnings, Doster allegedly admitted to spanking the juvenile with an open hand, the complaint indicates.