A Dunnellon man was arrested on Friday and charged with abusing a 4-year-old Dunnellon girl.

Arrested was Paul Preston Grenier Jr., 24, of 5328 W. Blade Lane.

According to the arrest report, a Citrus County detective was alerted to the case when shown photos by a Child Protective Investigator. A medical review of the child in Gainesville indicated injuries consistent with child abuse. The young girl said Grenier was the one who hit her, and told two witnesses she had been hit in the face and head.

The arrest report says photos of the child showed a number of marks and abrasions covering her face and head, as well as marks on her rear end, legs and arms. One photo showed a mark in the shape of a hand print, the arrest report says.

Grenier was read his rights and questioned about the incident. He told the investigator he had used too much force when disciplining the child. He also said the marks on the girl’s arm came from him grabbing hold of her and snatchig her from her bad. He said he then laid her face down on another bed and held her down by her shoulders as he spanked her.

Grenier also told the investigator that when they were riding in the vehicle, the girl was crying in the back seat and would not “shut up.” He said the reached into the back seat area and began swinging at the girl, striking her several times in the face and head.

Grenier was then arrested and taken to the county jail, where he was charged with child abuse.

Bond was set at none.

SOURCE: http://citrusdaily.com/local-news/dunnellon-charged-child-abuse-girl-4/2009/11/09/15698.html