Bloomer man charged with assault of woman, child

CHIPPEWA FALLS — A Bloomer man accused of hitting a woman and a 12-year-old girl in June has been charged.

Joshua P. Buss, 41, 1526 Martin Road, was charged in Chippewa County Court with child abuse — intentionally causing harm, battery — domestic abuse, and two counts of disorderly conduct. Judge James Isaacson released Buss on a $500 cash bond and set a return court date for Aug. 6.

As terms of his release, Buss cannot have any contact with the victims in the case or their residence. He also cannot consume alcohol and must comply with all pre-trial monitoring conditions. He will be allowed a one-time visit to the home to collect his belongings.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a home in Bloomer on June 20 for a fight in progress. When officers arrived, they could hear a male and female screaming in the background. The officer observed that Buss appeared to be intoxicated.

“(The adult woman) stated Joshua Buss had whaled on her and struck her many times in the back of the head,” the criminal complaint reads. “(The officer) observed a red swollen lump on the back of (her) head. (The 12-year-old girl) stated Buss had struck her in the face and scratched her chest. (The officer) observed a red mark on the left side of (her) face and a large bleeding scratch on (her) chest.”

The woman told police that Buss is an alcoholic and he was under the influence. She said she was in the bedroom with her children when Buss started yelling. She said the 12-year-old girl and a four-year-old child were lying on the bed with her, which made Buss angry when he returned. He swore at her, so she locked the bedroom door when he left the room.

“(She) stated when Buss returned, he became very angry and broke into the room,” the complaint reads. “(She) stated Buss began swinging at her and struck (the girl) on the side of the head. (She) stated she attempted to shield (the 12-year-old) and her four-year-old child from Buss. (She) stated Buss struck her several times, but was uncertain how many times.”

The woman said she then called 911. She said Buss struck her in the head again and pushed her, causing her to fall into a clothes rack.