LACKAWANNOCK TWP., Pa. - A Grove City man is facing charges after police say he "excessively punished" a child who was misbehaving.

According to a criminal complaint, police were called to a home in Lackawannock Township by Mercer County Children and Youth Services (CYS) in November of 2025 regarding a four-year-old child.

Police say they saw a scratch or brush burn on the child's right shoulder, as well as bruises on his torso. The child told police he got them from doing a "wall sit" against a textured wall as a punishment for misbehaving.

Police then spoke to 31-year-old Benjamen Popejoy, who was caring for the child at the time, according to the complaint. Popejoy allegedly told police he has been working with the child's behavioral therapist on different ways to discipline the child.

Popejoy allegedly told police that he had the child do a "wall sit," but the child was struggling to stay up and had his hands on his shoulders, and must have scratched himself.

Police say Popejoy told officers he put his hands under the child's arms to help him stay up.

However, Popejoy allegedly retracted that statement a month later, allegedly admitting that the scratch happened when he had his hands on the child's shoulders and scratched the child when he pulled back his hands.

Police say Popejoy still denied causing the armpit injuries and said he didn't know how they happened.

According to the complaint, the child was taken to the hospital, where doctors said the child's injuries were consistent with "excessive punishment" and "physical abuse."

Court records show Popejoy is charged with misdemeanor charges of endangering children and simple assault, as well as a summary offense of harassment. 

Popejoy was arraigned on Thursday, February 5, and is due back in court on August 6.