We don't yet know the circumstances surrounding David's charges, but we do know the investigation was opened up after Jace ran away from home. The charge is a misdemeanor.

TMZ broke the story, Jace snuck out a window at David and Jenelle's home back in September ... running off into the woods and prompting a police response. Once he was located, cops started diving into the case as possible neglect as it was the third time Jace had run away in about a month's time.

While it's unclear exactly what happened, we're told there's video of an assault involving Jace ... and both cops and child protective services had the video in their possession.

Our law enforcement sources tell us while Jenelle hasn't yet been charged, there's a possibility she could eventually face charges as well. Jace is David's stepson.

It was earlier this year when Jenelle got custody of Jace from her mother, Barbara, who had cared for him from a young age as Jenelle was deemed an unfit parent.

You might remember the incident from 2019 when Eason shot and killed the family dog after it allegedly bit their young daughter in the face ... Eason was not charged for that incident.