By Joe Bachman

A 35-year-old man has been charged with strangulation after police say he struck a family member repeatedly, and then choked her.

David Painter, of Wisconsin Rapids, is charged with strangulation and suffocation, domestic abuse, and disorderly conduct. According to police reports, on Mar. 11, an officer began investigating a domestic abuse incident that occurred on the 900 block of Huntington Ave.

The officer spoke with a 11-year-old girl, who stated that on Mar, 8, she witnessed the family member and Painter in an altercation, where the complainant eventually tripped and fell on her back. Painter then allegedly jumped on top of her, and struck her in the face approximately three or four times. Shortly after, Painter accused the complainant of seeing another man, and an altercation ensued.

Painter allegedly threw the complainant behind a partial wall, and allegedly started to choke her and stated “Don’t go over there again, or I’ll kill you” — He then allegedly told the 11-year-old “If you whine, you’re next”.

The complainant told officers that Painter had been drinking heavily that night, and that she was intoxicated as well, and doesn’t remember everything that happened.

Painter has a prior conviction of child abuse in 2013. If convicted, he faces up to six years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Apr. 6.