DeKalb officer being investigated after child abuse, battery allegation

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A DeKalb County police officer is under investigation for possible battery and child abuse, after witnesses said he beat a 13-year-old.

"Allegedly he was, the 13-year-old, was choked and struck a couple of times in the abdomen," Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman said.

Investigators tell Channel 2's Sophia Choi the teen, who goes to Loganville Middle School, is the son of the officer's girlfriend.

Channel 2 Action News is withholding the officer's name because he hasn't been charged or arrested.

A neighbor told Choi the officer was known for trouble in the area.

"I'm very upset about it. I'm glad there were witnesses to protect the child," Sonya Whittemore said.

According to an incident report, the officer said he disciplined the teen in the front yard of a neighbor on Forest Ridge Drive in Loganville on Oct. 8.

The report said it happened after the teen allegedly pulled a knife on another teen during a dispute.

Also in the report, a statement from the teen said he denied to investigators ever pulling a knife out or making any threats.

"I just hope it gets back to DeKalb County police so that they're aware," Whittemore said.

DeKalb County police released a statement saying the officer is on restrictive duty while under investigation.

Chapman told Choi the fact that it's an officer under investigation will have "no bearing whatsoever" in the case.

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WSBTV