Round Rock Man Charged With Child Injury After Allegedly Lashing Son With Belt

ROUND ROCK, TX — Police have charged a Round Rock man with injury to a child after allegedly hitting his son several times with a leather belt, according to a published report.

Jerel Benjamin, 44, was charged on Tuesday with the offense, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The arrest affidavit in the case was subsequently made available by police after the charges were filed.

The nine-year-old boy lives in Round Rock with his father and 13-year-old brother, according to the affidavit. Police were alerted after the two boys visited their mother in California during spring break, according to the affidavit.

The boy reportedly told him mom that Benjamin had spanked him for an hour on March 10 for lying to his teacher, the Statesman reported in citing from the affidavit. The boy's mother found injuries consistent with lashing on the boys lower legs, according to the affidavit. The boy said his father struck him on the legs, back and private parts with a braided leather belt, as outlined in the arrest affidavit.

The man reportedly disputed accusations of abuse, telling an investigator the belt lashing constituted "measured discipline," according to the report.

Benjamin subsequently was released from the Williamson County Jail on Wednesday after posting s $20,000 bail.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

Booking photo of Jerel Benjamin via Williamson County Jail records