PONTIAC, MI- Another nominee for “father of the year” finds himself behind bars after being arrested for beating and choking his nine-year-old son after he fell asleep on the couch.
Cedric Deiquell-Stevens Moore, 38, also placed lit cigarettes on his one-year-old son’s back and legs.
In a press release posted on Facebook, the Oakland County Office of the Sheriff said that Moore was arraigned on charges of second- and fourth-degree child abuse and was held on $100,000 bond.
His next court date is July 10.
“One of the worst things we see is horrific abuse to children,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
“It cannot be tolerated, and those responsible must be held fully accountable and their children protected.”
The incident occurred on Thursday, June 29. The child left the home after Moore left him and his brother home alone to go to the store.
The boy went to a neighboring house to get help, and that neighbor called deputies.
Upon arrival, the deputies saw that the boy was injured, including welts to his torso and severe abrasions to his right eye and around his neck, the release said.
The boy told sheriff's deputies his father became angry after he fell asleep on the couch.
The sheriff’s office said the victim told deputies he was struck with a belt on his face, back, legs, and buttocks, and was also struck with a broom handle before he was choked and passed out.
Moore told his son, “It’s gonna happen all night,” and then left for the store.
The victim said his baby brother was crying because he was hungry, at which point Moore “threw” the one-year-old into his crib.
Moore was placed under arrest at the home of a relative later that night. Moore told the relative he was “whooping” his son for stealing.
As part of the investigation, deputies examined the baby, and he was found to have healed cigarette burns on his back and legs.
The eight-year-old was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. As of the date of the press release, he had been admitted and was in stable condition.
The one-year-old has been placed into the custody of another relative by Child Protective Services.
The children’s mother is locked up on unrelated charges.
