An investigation by a DCS case worker and a GCSD detective led to the arrest of a Solsberry man who is accused of hitting, slapping and kicking a child under the age of 14. In Greene Circuit Court yesterday, he was charged with two felonies.

Jacob R. McQueen, 34, Solsberry, was arrested by Det. Sgt. Shawn Cullison of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on Monday morning, March 2, following an investigation by Det. Sgt. Cullison into incidents that allegedly occurred in late February at McQueen’s residence.

McQueen is accused of battery to a child less than 14 years old, McQueen’s step-child. McQueen allegedly hit, slapped and kicked the child several times.

Det. Sgt. Cullison began his investigation after he received a call from a case worker with the Greene County Department of Child Services (DCS). The case worker said the child had a large bruise on one side of his face and that the child lived with McQueen, the child’s mother and two other children. She said one of the other children was confirming the story told by the alleged victim.

When Det. Sgt. Cullison interviewed McQueen, McQueen allegedly said he did try to hit the child on his butt but the child fell down and he was unable to hit him. He said he never hit the child in the face.

Both the alleged child victim and the other child who was able to describe what happened underwent forensic interviews at Susie’s Place in Bloomington. They both told basically the same story which included the allegation that McQueen had kicked the child out of his chair three times during family dinner time.

The alleged victim’s injuries that were photographed included bruising and red marks on his chin and eye area and bruising on his back. Det. Sgt. Cullison detailed the interviews and allegations in a probable cause affidavit submitted to the prosecutor’s office.

After McQueen was booked into Greene County Jail, his bond was set at $14,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He posted $1,400 and was released later the same day.

Yesterday, Monday, March 9, McQueen appeared before Judge Erik Allen in Greene Circuit Court and was formally charged with domestic battery with bodily injury to a person under the age of 14, a Level 5 felony, and neglect of a dependent involving placing the dependent in a situation that endangers the dependent, a Level 6 felony.

McQueen was served with a no-contact order and he told the court that he intends to obtain his own attorney. His case is currently scheduled for trial by jury in July.