A Missouri resident, Dustin Woodrow Pierce, has been arrested and charged with child abuse after allegedly assaulting his wife’s 12-year-old daughter, leading to her loss of consciousness and a concussion. Pierce is currently held at the Lincoln County Jail with a cash bond set at $500,000. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 30 years.
The incident occurred on the evening of November 22, when Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Marcus Peebles responded to a domestic disturbance call. Upon arrival, Peebles found the young girl in a state of extreme distress. The girl’s mother informed the deputy that the altercation began when Pierce instructed the girl to clean her room, which she refused to do.
According to the mother’s account, Pierce threatened to take matters into his own hands if she didn’t discipline the child. The mother alleges that she witnessed Pierce, a man of considerable size, strike the girl three times in the head with the back of his hand. Following the assault, the girl lost consciousness.
Pierce reportedly dismissed the girl’s condition, calling her “fine” and “weak.” Despite the mother’s pleas for him not to touch the girl, Pierce allegedly pushed her aside and left the house. The girl was later found to be unresponsive and was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a concussion and found to have difficulty maintaining balance.
Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Wood stated that further medical examinations revealed the girl had sustained significant brain injuries. She is now undergoing physical therapy to regain motor functions. Wood emphasized the difference between reasonable corporal punishment and striking a child in the head, stating the latter is never acceptable.
Prosecutors revealed that Pierce is a military veteran suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He is scheduled to attend an intensive in-patient PTSD clinic at the end of December. Prosecutors also noted that Pierce’s specialized military training makes him a potential danger to himself and others. Pierce is due in court for a bond hearing on Monday.