Intoxicated man strikes child in the face

A Newton man has been arrested for striking a 9-year-old child in the face.

According to the criminal complaint, the Newton Police Department was dispatched to the the victim’s home at 8 p.m. Dec. 26 in the 800 block of South 13th Avenue East on a report of an assault on a child. Upon arrival, the mother of the child told officers she had witnessed Cody A. Waldon, 30, back hand the child on the right side of the head. The mother told NPD that Waldon was drunk at the time of the incident. The blow was in retaliation to the 9 year old calling Waldon a derogatory name.

Waldon had left the residence on foot before police arrived. The mother’s story was confirmed by another child who had witnessed the incident.

Officers observed the child who had been struck and noticed visible bruising to the victim’s right eye and side of his head.

NPD located Waldon at just after midnight Dec. 27 in the 1700 block of South Eighth Avenue East. A store clerk had called the police about an intoxicated man inside the store. Officers located Waldon outside of the store drinking an alcoholic beverage. He staggered as he walked, had slurred speech and had bloodshot eyes. Police noted he smelled strongly of alcohol, according to the report.

Waldon submitted to a preliminary breath test which indicated a BrAC of .312. He declined the secondary test.

Waldon was charged with child engagement — bodily injury and public intoxication. He was taken to the Jasper County Jail where he was released on a $2,000 cash or surety bond. His preliminary hearing has been set for 9 a.m. Jan. 5.