A Texas County man faces a pair of felony charges after a Texas County Sheriff’s Department investigation of an incident involving a juvenile boy on Aug. 3.
Austin W. Diedrich, 27, of Boiling Springs Road at Licking, is charged with abuse or neglect of a child and domestic assault – second degree (both class D felonies).
A deputy’s report indicated that based on observations of the boy’s injuries, statements from a pair of witnesses and a forensic interview conducted by the Child Advocacy Center, Diedrich apparently grabbed the boy by his neck and rubbed his face across the floor in urine at his residence. The boy reportedly said he fled scared and in pain during the incident.
A witness reportedly told the officer Diedrich appeared angry and used excessive force.
Diedrich was taken into custody on Oct. 1 and is held in the Texas County Jail.
Bond in the case is set at $3,000.