A Detroit police officer is facing charges of child abuse and assault after a disturbing incident in which he is alleged to have used his Taser in a threatening manner against his 10-year-old nephew. Officer Caleb Williams, 21, was arraigned on charges including one count of second-degree child abuse and one count of felonious assault, following his arrest on Friday.

Authorities claim that the incident occurred on April 17 at a home on East Outer Drive in Detroit, where Williams reportedly "threatened and frightened" the child by "arcing" his department-issued Taser while near the boy, WWJ Newsradio reported. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office indicated that the event was captured on video, adding a glaring layer of evidence to the case.

Details provided by FOX 2 Detroit suggest that after the footage surfaced, Detroit Police Chief James E. White immediately ordered Williams to be suspended and the case to be referred to Internal Affairs. As per Wayne County prosecutors, arcing a Taser involves sending electricity through the prongs of the device without discharging cartridges, which was done three times by Williams during the incident.

Despite Williams turning himself in and his lawyer Wright Blake asserting his client maintains innocence and holds a remarkable work history, the gravity of the charges cannot be underscored. "He looks like he is assaulting this young boy with his department-issued taser on numerous occasions," Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Coyle was quoted by The Detroit News. Williams, now suspended with pay, faces the possibility of up to a decade behind bars if found guilty. The terms of his $10,000 bond forbid possession of any weapons, and require him to avoid all contact with minors.

Further judicial proceedings are forthcoming, with a probable cause conference scheduled for May 3, and a preliminary examination on May 9, where Williams will have to face the music in court for his alleged misdeeds.