A father questioned about allegations of child abuse allegedly told officers he would raise his children how he saw fit, police said.
The man, whose name is being withheld by InMaricopa to protect the identity of the children, is charged with two counts of child abuse, according to police.
Police said they interviewed the father about 6:40 p.m. on July 12 at a home in Maricopa Meadows. Officers advised the man of the child abuse allegations lodged against him, according to a probable cause statement, which said the man told officers that “they are his kids, and he is going to raise them how he wants to.”
Officers determined there was evidence that the man had abused two of his children – a daughter and a son – by intentionally slapping or punching them in the face and throwing them to the ground, the probable cause statement said.
The daughter sustained an injury to her hand and was transported to Banner Children’s at Desert Emergency Room for treatment, police said.
The son had a small laceration and swelling to the right side of his eye, police said.
According to the probable cause statement, the man denied assaulting his daughter but mentioned he did grab his son by the hair.
The man was arrested and transported to Pinal County Jail, where he was booked on the charges, police said.
