Man Charged In Alleged Harsh Spanking

Gwinnett County officials said they arrested an Auburn man for allegedly going overboard with corporal punishment.

Gwinnett County police confirmed to Channel 2 that David Sloat, 39, was charged with two counts of child cruelty in the first degree and one count of child cruelty in the third degree.

Officials said Sloat used books, shoes and his hand to punish an 8-year-old male relative. Police said the first incident occurred in Sept. 2008. When officials returned to the home Jan. 29 to follow up, a police officer found “visible bruising” on the child.

Sloat allegedly beat the child across his buttocks with a shoe.

Sloat is being held in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.