A Mercer County man and his girlfriend face criminal charges for allegedly paddling and throwing a butter knife at the girlfriend’s teenage son.

State Police have charged 51-year-old Bobby McChesney and 41-year-old Bridget Coogle with endangering the welfare of a child.

Coogle’s 13-year-old son told police that his mother and McChesney spank him with a wooden paddle for the past two years and have been increasing the frequency and intensity of the paddlings which allegedly take place several times per week.

The teen also said that McChesney threw a butter knife at his leg, wounding him at their Poole Road home in Jackson Township.

Police say they could see the wound on the boy’s leg and said there was “significant bruising” on the teen’s legs and buttocks.

A hearing was held before a district magistrate on Thursday.

McChesney, who is also charged with assault, is free on $25,000 bond.  Coogle’s bond is set at $10,000.

The next court hearing is scheduled in two weeks.