THORNTOWN, Ind. - A Boone County father has been detained and charged in connection with hitting his adult son in the face with a hatchet, a probable cause affidavit said.

Last Friday, police responded to a call that Michael L. Wilson, 53, had struck his son in the face with a steel hatchet in the 9200 block of State Road 39.

The affidavit reported that a fight began between the father and son after Wilson blocked a phone number of his son’s ex-girlfriend.

An argument ensued and Wilson grabbed a handgun. He told police he feared for his safety because his son, Chadwick Wilson, was upset and intoxicated, court documents said.

The affidavit said both men became involved in a physical altercation and both men exchanged hits.

At one point, Michael Wilson grabbed a steel hatchet and struck his son in the face, the affidavit said.

According to court documents, he told police he was acting in self-defense.

Jennifer Wilson, wife and mother of the two men involved, confirmed to police in a written statement that Michael Wilson did strike his son with a hatchet, court documents said.

Police seized the hatchet, handgun and another automatic weapon found in the residence.

Michael Wilson showed no signs of injury and Chadwick Wilson was bleeding and showed obvious signs of battery, deputy prosecutor Michael Greene said.

Both men were checked out by a medic but refused to go to a hospital.

Michael Wilson was transported to the Boone County Jail and faces charges of battery with a deadly weapon, police said.