PONTIAC, Mich. – A man was arrested for allegedly beating and choking his 9-year-old son in Pontiac because the boy fell asleep on the couch.
The investigation into the abuse began when the boy left the home on June 26 after his father, Cedric Moore, went to the store, leaving the 9-year-old and a 1-year-old alone.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said the boy went to a neighbor’s house on S Edith Street for help.
When deputies arrived, they found multiple injuries on the 9-year-old, including welts on the boy’s torso and severe abrasions to his right eye and around his neck. The young boy told deputies that his father was angry with him because he fell asleep on the couch.
The boy also said his father beat him with a belt and hit him with a broomstick before choking him until he passed out. The father allegedly told the child, “It’s gonna happen all night,” then left for the store.
The child told authorities that his baby brother was crying because he was hungry, and his father “threw” the 1-year-old into his crib.
Moore was arrested later Thursday night at a relative’s home. Moore told the relative that he had been “whooping” his son for stealing.
The 1-year-old was also found with injuries, including healed cigarette burns on his back and legs.
The 9-year-old was taken to a hospital for treatment. The 1-year-old was given to a relative by Child Protective Services.