A Grand Meadow man is awaiting his next hearing on charges he allegedly punched his girlfriend’s son in the eye on Dec. 11, 2011.

Travis Robert Nord, 28, was arrested on Dec. 16, 2011, and charged with domestic assault, a felony, and malicious punishment of a child, a gross misdemeanor. According to the court complaint, a Mower County detective and human services employee both questioned the child’s teachers and mother on Dec. 16 about bruises and swelling around the child’s eye. Nord was also questioned at his place of employment that day and admitted to hitting the child, according to the report.

The child told authorities that he was punished for “being naughty” and was told to go to his bedroom and nap but was struck in the face when he wasn’t napping, according to the complaint. The child also mentioned he had been struck several times on the back with an extension cord and belt in January of 2011, to which Nord admitted before being arrested. The child’s mother also confirmed that Nord struck the child on those occasions.

According to the complaint, the child is “often afraid when at home because he does not want to be hit or whipped.”

According to the complaint, Nord was convicted of assault in Howard County, Iowa, on Oct. 17, 2004, and violated an order of protection on Oct. 21, 2003, in Fillmore County.

Nord was released from jail on Dec. 19, 2011, on $5,000 bail with conditions that he comply with weekly check-ins with Court Services, not be within 500 feet of the victim’s residence or school or have any contact with the victim.

Nord’s next hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 1 in Mower County District Court.