An Oakland County man is facing charges of child abuse after allegedly beating and choking his 9-year-old son because the boy fell asleep on a couch, and subsequently "throwing" his infant son into a crib, according to authorities. CBS News reports that Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore, 38, was arraigned with a bond set at $100,000 and is currently held at the Oakland County Jail.
Last Thursday evening, the 9-year-old sought help at a neighbor's house on South Edith Street in Pontiac after his father left for a store. The young boy told the neighbor his father was angry with him for falling asleep and that Moore allegedly assaulted him, saying, "It's gonna happen all night," as reported by ClickOnDetroit. Moor allegedly left the scene but was later arrested at a relative's home where he admitted to having been "whooping" his son because he supposedly had stolen something.
Deputies discovered the 9-year-old with "welts to his torso, and severe abrasions to his eye and around his neck" upon arrival. His brother, a 1-year-old, was also found to have healed cigarette burns on his legs and back; WXYZ reported that the 9-year-old was taken to an area hospital and is in stable condition, while Child Protective Services placed the younger child with a relative.
"One of the worst things we see is horrific abuse to children," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated to CBS News, stressing the importance of fully holding those responsible accountable and imperative protection of the children involved. The mother of the 9-year-old does not reside with Moore and the infant's mother is currently incarcerated, according to officials.
