CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC)- Charleston police are searching for a teen who allegedly beat his girlfriend, sending her to the hospital.

Joshua Smalls, 17, is wanted for assault and battery after beating his girlfriend over a cell phone dispute at the corner of South and Drake streets in downtown at approximately 8 p.m. Monday evening, according to a Charleston Police Department incident report.

A nurse at Roper Hospital said the victim later required 12 sutures to close a wound on her head.

The victim says the confrontation started when Smalls took her cell phone and went through her phone calls. She says Smalls became jealous about other guys calling her phone, and began to argue with her on the corner of the two streets.

When the victim tried to push Smalls away after he clenched his fists, she says he punched her in the left side of the head.

Smalls then ran away from the incident, police say.

The victim went to Roper Hospital where officers say a large chunk of her outer left ear was missing, along with several deep cuts behind her ear.

Smalls is described as a black male, 5'11 and weighing 170 pounds. He also was last seen with short facial hair. If you have any information on Smalls, contact CRIME STOPPERS at 843-554-1111.

Source: http://downtown.live5news.com/news/news/68731-police-woman-needed-12-stitches-after-boyfriend-beat-her

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