A father who slapped his 4-year-old son was given probation after leaving a mark on the child’s face.
The father, Corey Reid Smalling, 33, entered a guilty plea before General Sessions Judge Bill Locke to the reduced charge of reckless endangerment. He was originally charged with child abuse of a child less than 8. He was issued a six-month probationary sentence and must pay $286, perform eight hours public service work, and follow the recommendations made by the Department of Children’s Services.
Smalling was charged after the daycare where the boy attends reported seeing marks on the child’s face. Daycare workers had also learned other children had seen the victim’s father slap him.
“I saw the marks on his face and thought it had been done intentionally,” said sheriff’s investigator Jason Rowland in his warrant against the father.
Rowland said he talked to the father at which time he admitted to sometimes using a strong hand with his son.
“He did admit he did lose his temper with him due to him doing some unwanted behavior,” Rowland noted.
In other court action heard during a short trial court Tuesday afternoon:
• Nathan McMinn was ordered to serve 10 days of an 11-29 sentence, make $190 restitution and perform 25 hours public service work for theft.
• Roxanna Darla Roberts must serve the balance of her sentence for violation of probation.