POLICE: Fmr. Dem Recorder Arrested for Beating Wife, Son

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — Former Democrat Recorder and failed County Commissioner candidate, Phillip “Phil” Dotson, 75, is facing charges for beating his wife and his child earlier this week. Mishawaka Police say Dotson smacked his wife in the face multiple times, then started punching his son after he attempted to intervene.

Dotson, a Democrat, was the St. Joseph County Recorder from 2008-2016. He ran for County Commissioner in District 3 in 2016, but lost that race to Republican Deb Fleming.

According to court documents, on Tuesday, Dotson and his wife were in an argument over money that he had taken out of a joint bank account to purchase a car when Dotson, a 280 pound man, got up and smacked his wife in the face multiple times. Their adult son attempted to intervene and a scuffle led into the driveway.

A neighbor witnessed Dotson on top of his son, punching him in the face multiple times. That neighbor was able to break up the fight, according to court documents.

According to police reports, Dotson initially lied to officers, claiming his wife started the physical altercation by hitting him in the face and burning him with a cigarette. Dotson then changed his story and admitted to what other victims and witnesses had reported.

Witnesses claim Dotson has been beating his wife for years. Dotson was released from jail on Wednesday. The prosecuting attorney requested Dotson not have contact with the victims.

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