After a teacher noticed bruising on one of her young students, an investigation began into possible child abuse. A Springville man has been accused of hitting his child with a belt and his hand causing numerous bruises. He was arrested and is facing two felony counts.

Samuel Meza, 53, Springville, was arrested by Detective Shawn Cullison of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on Friday, August 20.

An investigation into a report of child abuse started on Friday, August 20, in Monroe County after a teacher in an elementary school in Monroe County noticed a bruise on a student and sent the child to the school’s health aide who contacted the school’s social worker and the Department of Child Services. The investigation, led by Det. Jeff Ripley of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, continued until Det. Ripley determined the incident had occurred in Greene County and he contacted the Greene County Sheriff’s Department.

When GCSD Det. Shawn Cullison got involved, also on Friday, August 20, Det. Ripley updated him on the status of the investigation and what had been discovered up to that point.

Det. Cullison reported the child had a large bruise to the back of a hand, two long bruises on a forearm and several large bruises on his back. He said that during an interview at Susie’s Place and conversations with others, the child said his father, Samuel Meza, had whooped him the night before with a belt and his hand. A witness, who is an older sibling, confirmed the child’s story. Medical doctors also determined the child’s injuries were consistent with the allegations.

The two children live with their father in Blue Sky North, Springville, which is located in Greene County.

Meza met Det. Cullison at the sheriff’s department for an interview but after he was advised of his rights, he said he would like to talk to an attorney.

By 8:46 p.m. the same day the investigation began, Meza had been booked into the Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $20,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He posted $2,000 and was released the next day.

A criminal case was filed against Meza in Greene Circuit Court.

He is scheduled to appear at an initial hearing on September 8.

Meza is facing charges of:

Battery resulting in bodily injury to a person under the age of 14, a Level 5 felony, and
Neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.