By Brandi Makuski

A Stevens Point man faces just over 12 years in prison for allegedly punching a 15-year-old family member in the face repeatedly.

Terence Blackmon, 41, was arrested following an incident at his Clayton Ave. home in June. Police records indicate a female adult companion of Blackmon’s initially called police because she believed a 15-year-old girl family member in the home caused the disturbance, and Blackmon had already driven away from the residence when police arrived.

Though she was initially hesitant to give many details, the girl eventually told police Blackmon had been intoxicated, and the two began to argue over a telephone charger. During the incident she said Blackmon punched the girl multiple times in the face, and also dragged the girl on the floor by her hair.

According to the criminal complaint, during a heated argument Blackmon first slapped the girl, at which point she threatened to hit him in return if he struck her again. Blackmon responded by slapping the girl again, at which point the girl called her mother to report the incident.

According to the complaint, Blackmon said, “Go ahead, call your mom. I’m gonna beat you how I used to beat her.”

Blackmon then took the phone from the girl and ended the call.

During an in-depth interview at the Stevens Point Police Dept., police were able to confirm at least part of the story from the girl’s mother, who overheard some of the shouting in the background while she spoke with her daughter.

Blackmon is free on a $5,000 signature bond. He was in Portage Co. Circuit Court on Jan. 4 for his initial appearance and faces two counts of physical abuse of a child, intentionally causing bodily harm and one count of disorderly conduct.

He returns to court Feb. 1.