An El Mirage man was arrested after being accused of striking his son with an electrical cord.
El Mirage police report that last week they arrested 38-year-old Jose Ramon Hernandez for reportedly striking his 9-year-old son with an electrical cord.
Police were alerted by the child’s teacher, who questioned the boy after seeing him with a black eye.
The boy allegedly told police that on August 14 he took a different route home from school. This prompted police and the school to search for the boy.
When he returned home, Hernandez reportedly beat the boy with a belt and electrical cord.
Police say they, "observed numerous black, purple and yellow bruising on his body, consistent with an electrical cord that was doubled in a loop."
Police say the child and his brother were coached by Hernandez as to what they should say if questioned by police. The boy was called out "sick" from school the entire following week.
DCS and police are investigating.
Police say Hernandez has prior assault arrests and has been charged with child abuse.
If you suspect a child is being abused, the Arizona Department of Child Services has resources available to report the issue to a social worker. You can call the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), and will be asked for information about the child, as well as the nature of your concerns. You can also get more information from DCS about reporting abuse or neglect online.
