An argument over homework has led to charges for a Mesa man accused of choking his 12-year-old son.
According to a probable cause statement, the father yelled at his son on Tuesday morning. The victim told investigators his father grabbed him with both hands around his neck and pushed him up against a wall.
The incident was not reported to law enforcement until the following night, when the child's mother noticed the injury to her son's neck.
About 12 hours after the incident occurred, the son's voice was still raspy, he was coughing and reported pain when swallowing, police said.
The following day, the son received a forensic exam, which noted signs of strangulation, including visible bruising on the front of his neck and redness on his chest.
The father, identified as 36-year-old Jason Hines, of Mesa, was interviewed by police. He said he did argue with his son about homework, but said he grabbed his son by the collar of his shirt and denied putting his hands on his son's neck.
Hines has been charged with one count each of aggravated assault and child abuse, both felonies. His bond was set at $150,000.
