Oct 29, 2012 1 min read

A West Virginia man is accused of assaulting a 4-year-old boy last month as preparations were going on for a wedding reception at the Midway Community Center. Nicholas James Pannett, 22, of Weirton, allegedly grabbed the boy from Clinton, Allegheny County, by the shirt and punched him in the sternum. McDonald police said the two were at the center later that night on Sept. 21 as a group was preparing for a reception the following day. The two were reportedly playing near a soft drink machine when the boy kicked Pannett near the groin area. Police said Pannett, in retaliation, grabbed the boy and punched him. There were reportedly no other adults in the immediate area, but police said the boy’s sister witnessed the assault. The boy’s mother, Lee Ann Javens, told police the boy started experiencing chest convulsions later that night. She took the boy to Weirton Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with two bruised ribs. Charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, child endangerment, harassment and disorderly conduct were filed Monday at the office of District Judge Gary Havelka. He will be arraigned at a later date on the charges.