OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City man was arrested for reportedly punching his wife in front of two young children during a domestic dispute on Monday afternoon. 

According to court documents, Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 32-year-old Michael Edward Beichner in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on Monday, September 19.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred at a residence on Kevin Circle, in Oil City, Venango County, around 12:09 p.m. on September 19.

According to a criminal complaint, Michael Beichner was at his residence when he asked his wife to run an errand for him. She told Beichner she was unable to because she could not place their children into their car seats without having them assembled correctly.

Beichner then became irate and started to yell at the victim and punched her in the right arm and the lower leg, the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Beichner caused the victim “substantial pain.” He then left the residence and returned to his place of employment.

The altercation occurred in the presence of two children less than five years old, the complaint indicates.

Beichner was located at his place of employment. He admitted to punching the victim in the arm and stated that he has a lot of additional stress at work, and it finally got to him. He further stated that he understood he could not subject others to physical contact, according to the complaint.

He was arraigned at 3:45 p.m. on September 19 in front of Judge Fish on the following charges:

– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary

He is currently free after posting $2,500.00 monetary bail.

A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday, September 28, at 10:30 a.m. with Judge Fish presiding.