An arrest warrant was issued against a 31-year-old Elk City man in Beckham County District Court on July 22 for child abuse.
The investigation began on July 18 when a concerned father called Elk City Police Department from the home of his ex-girlfriend with concerns of child abuse.
The mother’s boyfriend was reportedly identified as James Morris.
The child in question reportedly had bruises and swelling to the face.
“It was evident the child had been struck violently in the side of the face with enough force to cause an unreasonable amount of bruising and discoloration, s t retching up to her left temple. The injury had three distinct bruising streaks which indicated the division of extended fingers,” the reporting officer wrote.
Morris reportedly admitted to “spanking” the home’s two young children in the past, but denied knowing how the injuries on that day had happened to one of the children.
However, in the forensic interview with the home’s two children, police were allegedly told that Morris had struck the child in the face.
